Shelf stable fried product and process for creating the same

ABSTRACT

A shelf stable fried product and a process for creating a shelf stable fried product is disclosed. Aspects include a process for managing fat migration, moisture migration, and cell degrading of a food product during frying. Aspects further include a resulting shelf stable food product that includes a crispy and/or crunchy texture and a desirable fat distribution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/082,050 filed on Jul. 18, 2008.

BACKGROUND

The aesthetic properties of shelf stable fried food products are acontributor to consumer appeal. Prior processes for creating shelfstable fried food products result in a less desirable shelf stable foodproduct.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key and/oressential features of the claimed subject matter. Also, this Summary isnot intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in anymanner.

Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a shelf stable fried product.Aspects of the disclosure also pertain to a process for managing fatmigration, moisture migration, and product cell degradation. The shelfstable fried product includes advantageous color, flavor, texture, shelfstability, fat distributions and/or appearance.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary operational flow diagram illustrating anexemplary process for producing a shelf stable fried product.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross section of a shelf stable fried product.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross section of a shelf stable fried product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shelf stable fried food products provide consumers with a quick and easysnack. As indicated herein, fried food products can be shelf stable andcan be utilized or eaten by the consumer without any preparation, suchas thawing or cooking. As further indicated herein, shelf stable friedfood products can include whole and/or whole pieces of fruits and/orvegetables, which are ideal for on-the-go snacking.

Prior processes have been utilized to create chip type products and tocreate intermediate products such as fries that are to be cooked by aconsumer for consumption. Prior processes degrade cell structures of theproduct and fail to manage fat migration and moisture content in theproduct. As more fully set forth herein, fat migration can include themovement of fat and/or oil from the interior toward the exterior and caninclude the movement of fat and/or oil outside of the product into theproduct. Moisture migration can include the movement of moisture fromthe interior toward the exterior and can include the movement ofmoisture outside of the product into the product. Degraded cellstructures can include ruptured cells which form gaps, cracks, channels,and/or pockets in the internal cell matrix of the product. When cellstructures are degraded, the resulting product has a less desirable biteand fat and/or moisture uncontrollably migrates in the product. Rupturedcell structures facilitate the movement of fat into the product and alsoprovide inconsistent channels for moisture migration during fryingand/or vacuum frying. The inconsistent migration of moisture out of theproduct can cause an explosive effect and blow surface applications offof the product during frying and/or vacuum frying. Unmanaged moisturemigration also reduces the time window when fat is hindered frommigrating into the product through a pressure differential createdduring frying and/or vacuum frying when moisture/steam exits theproduct. Such fat migration, fat concentrations, degraded cellstructures, and moisture migration degrades the texture of the finalproduct, removes flavor components from the product, and causesinconsistencies in product batches.

Aspects of the disclosure pertain to shelf stable fried product and aprocess for managing fat migration, moisture migration, and the internalproduct matrix to produce a shelf stable fried product having fatdistributions as indicated herein. The term “aesthetic” is used hereinto refer to the color, flavor, appearance, shelf stability, fatdistribution and/or texture of a fried product. Aspects include aprocess for adding visual enhancements, managing fat migration, managingmoisture migration, and managing cell degrading of a product duringfrying and/or vacuum frying. The moisture management processes can beused to manage the shelf stability of the product, increase the adhesionof surface applications, manage fat migration in the product, anddecrease staling over time to preserve texture. The fat management caninclude processes for causing a product to include a desirable fatdistribution in the product, provide a desirable texture, and resiststaling over time. The fat distribution and moisture content as setforth below allows flavor components to remain in the product andresults in a desirable texture. The management of cell structures alsoresults in an enhanced texture of the end product by controlling thechannels in which moisture and fat can migrate. Aspects further includea resulting shelf stable product that includes a crispy and/or crunchytexture with a beneficial fat distribution. The crispy and/or crunchytexture, the optional cut of the product, the fat distribution, themoisture content, the flavor components, and the attributes of surfaceapplications are aesthetically pleasing to end consumers, resiststaling, and reduce breakage issues during packaging and shipping of theshelf stable product.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can includeproduct tempering. In general, tempering the product has an affect onthe appearance of the final product, and can have an affect on fatmanagement and moisture management via uniform surface applicationadhesion, which ultimately improves the texture of the final product. Ifa product is cut during the process below, tempering provides for asmooth cut of the product. The smooth cut of the product allows for avisually appealing (less jagged) appearance, facilitates adhesion ofsurface applications, and reduces the surface area of the product viareduced jagged edges. Reducing surface area reduces the area throughwhich fat and moisture have an opportunity to migrate, which causes thefat uptake of the product. Surface application adhesion provides animpediment around the product to help manage fat and moisture migrationduring frying and/or vacuum frying. The management of fat and moisturemigration during the frying and/or vacuum frying operation affects theaesthetic and textural properties of the final product. Final shelfstable products with managed fat migration, moisture migration, anduniform batter adhesion, via the tempering operation set forth herein,have a crispy and/or crunchy texture.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can alsoinclude a product priming operation. In general, priming the product hasan affect on fat management, moisture management, product cell matrix,color, and ultimately the texture of the final product. The primingoperation promotes product surface preparation and can manage thedegrading of internal cell structures of the product. In aspects ofpriming, the surface portion of the product can be gelatinized andcarbohydrates near the surface of the product are concentrated. Duringthe priming operation, complex carbohydrates near the surface of theproduct can be concentrated and simple carbohydrates near the surfacecan be removed from the product. The gelatinized surface portion and theconcentration of the complex carbohydrates form a primed portion of theproduct. The primed portion also can facilitate surface applicationadhesion while managing the degrading of the product's internal cellstructure during frying and/or vacuum frying. The primed portion canalso be denser via the concentration of complex carbohydrates. As such,the primed portion can provide a portion for diffusing steam as steamexits the product during the frying and/or vacuum frying processes.During frying and/or vacuum frying, moisture turns to steam and exitsthe product from a pressure differential. When the steam encounters theprimed portion and/or surface application, the steam is diffused. Thediffused steam provides for a managed exit of steam from the product.The managed exit of steam is less likely to blow surface applicationsoff the product during frying and/or vacuum frying. The diffused exit ofsteam also reduces the formation of steam channels in the product whichcause a volatile exit of steam and provides a path for fat to migrateinto the product during frying and/or vacuum frying. The management offat and moisture migration during the frying and/or vacuum fryingoperation affects the aesthetic properties of the final product. Finalshelf stable products with managed fat, managed moisture, and managedcell matrix, via the priming operation herein, have a crispy and/orcrunchy texture.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can alsoinclude a moisture reduction operation. In general, the moisturereduction operation has an affect on the management of fat and/ormoisture migration and ultimately the texture of the final product.Moisture reduction operations remove surface moisture from the productvia heat drying, atmospheric drying, and/or drip moisture reduction. Thewater removal prepares the product for surface applications. The removalof the water improves the adhesion of surface applications and reducesblow off during frying and/or vacuum frying. In some aspects with starchbased products, moisture reduction can gelatinize the surface of theproduct to create a tacky layer on the product and can concentratecomplex carbohydrates near the surface. This tacky layer increases theadhesion of surface applications to allow for proper coverage of theproduct. The reduction of surface water prevents the surface applicationfrom “sliding off” the product and enables the surface application tomaintain its solid percentage on the product. The reduction of surfacewater also reduces water from being trapped under the surfaceapplication, which will volatilize into steam in the frying and/orvacuum frying process and blow the surface application off the product.Proper surface application adhesion provides an impediment around theproduct to help manage fat and moisture migration during the fryingand/or vacuum frying processes. The management of fat and moisturemigration during the frying and/or vacuum frying operations affects theaesthetic properties of the final product. Final shelf stable productswith managed fat and moisture migration, via the moisture reductionoperation set forth herein, have a crispy and/or crunchy texture.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can furtherinclude a surface application operation. In general, the surfaceapplication facilitates desirable color, flavor, appearance, texture,and fat impediment properties through the viscosity of the surfaceapplication to manage fat and moisture migration associated with theproduct. If not enough surface application and/or a surface applicationwith too low of a viscosity is utilized, the finished product will havetoo little color, flavor, appearance of particulate, and more fat willbe absorbed during the frying and/or vacuum frying processes which canhave a negative affect on the texture and aesthetics of the friedproduct. The management of fat and moisture migration during the fryingand/or vacuum frying operation affects the aesthetic and texturalproperties of the final product. Final shelf stable products withmanaged fat and moisture migration, via the surface applicationoperation set forth herein, have a crispy and/or crunchy texture,enhanced color, improved flavor, and an optimized appearance.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can alsoinclude a fry operation. In general, setting the surface applicationduring frying forms an initial impeding skin around the product to helpmanage fat and moisture migration during frying and/or vacuum frying.During frying, moisture is forced out of the product via steam. Thesteam has an outward force which impedes the movement of fat into theproduct as the steam exits. The exiting of the steam is managed via thesurface application, the management of the cell structure matrix of theproduct, and the formation of the primed portion. For example, theinternal cell matrix can be managed to mitigate the formation ofpockets, fissures, and channels in the product which will cause anexplosive exit of steam as opposed to a diffused managed exit of steam.The management of the steam provides a generally consistent outwardforce from the steam which reduces inconsistent fat migrations into theproduct. The management of fat migration during the frying operationaffects the aesthetic properties of the final product. Final shelfstable products with managed fat migration, via the fry operation setforth herein, have a crispy and/or crunchy texture which is moreaesthetically pleasing to end consumers.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can alsoinclude a freeze operation for some products. In general, the freezingmanages the structures of the cells in the product by reducing cellruptures during frying and/or vacuum frying. Furthermore, managed cellstructures facilitate the management of fat migration in the product. Afreeze also solidifies fat on the outside of the product. The faster thefreeze, the more fat that is solidified on the outside of the product.As the frozen fat thaws on the surface of the product during fryingand/or vacuum frying, fat is impeded from entering the product.Moreover, quickly freezing the product manages moisture in the product.The quick freeze causes a distribution of small ice crystals in theproduct. When the product is fried or vacuum fried, the small icecrystals vaporize into steam. The steam is defused from the product tocause an outward force from the steam via the primed portion and/or thesurface application. This outward force impedes the migration of oilinto the product across the surface of the product. From thedistribution and size of the ice crystals, steam is diffused through theproduct as opposed to the steam being localized through large icecrystal formation and channels in the product cell matrix.

The formation of ice crystals also provides structural support for theinternal product matrix as the product is fried and/or vacuum fried.When a product is fried and/or vacuum fried, the product thaws from theoutside of the product to the inside of the product. The thawing changesthe ice into liquid. Then the liquid is turned to steam. Thetransformation from ice to steam takes more energy and time than atransformation from liquid to steam. As such, internal cells of theinternal product matrix are structurally supported for a longer time viathe ice crystals of the internal cells. This allows time for the heat tofix the structural product matrix before it collapses from the exit ofsteam. Accordingly, freezing the product as provided herein provides awindow of time when fat migration into the product is impeded. Freezingalso sets the surface application which creates an impediment forpreventing the absorption of fat during frying and/or vacuum frying.Freezing the product further facilitates the fixation of the internalproduct matrix and reduces collapsing. Freezing the product furtherallows for the product to remain free flowing, which minimizes theformation of clumps in the frying and/or vacuum frying process thatcreates an undesirable appearance and texture in the finished product.Therefore, freezing manages fat and moisture migration and improves theresulting texture of the shelf stable product.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure can alsoinclude a vacuum frying operation. The parameters utilized to vacuum frythe product are calculated so that vacuum frying mitigates fatmigration, mitigates excess moisture, mitigates cell degradation,mitigates oil degradation, and mitigates the degradation of desirednutrients, colors and flavors. The other operations set forth hereinhave an affect on the outcome of the vacuum frying operation. Temperingthe product results in enhanced surface application adhesion. Theenhanced surface application adhesion reduces batter blow off duringvacuum frying and provides an impediment for diffusing steam. Thereduced batter blow off reduces the paths through which fat can migrateinto the product. Priming the product creates a priming portion. Thepriming portion can include a tacky surface which promotes batteradhesion. The enhanced surface application adhesion reduces batter blowoff during vacuum frying and provides a portion for steam diffusion. Thereduced batter blow off reduces the paths through which fat can migrateinto the product. The primed portion can also include concentratedcarbohydrates. The concentrated primed portion diffuses steam as itexits the product during vacuum frying. The diffused steam reduces theforce of the steam and mitigates surface application blow off. Thediffused steam also provides an outward force from the productsufficient to counter the force of fat migration into the product.Moisture reduction results in enhanced surface application adhesionwhich reduces fat uptake during frying. The enhanced surface applicationadhesion reduces batter blow off during vacuum frying and provides animpediment for steam diffusion. The reduced batter blow off reduces thepaths through which fat can migrate into the product. Frying results ina set surface application which reduces fat uptake during frying.Freezing provides for small ice crystals and a managed internal cellstructure, which provides a window for reduced fat migration into theproduct during vacuum frying via the steam exiting the product.

As more fully set forth below, aspects of the disclosure also pertain toa shelf stable fried product that includes a whole cut of vegetable orfruit. The product includes an inwardly and an outwardly portion. Theproduct includes the fat distributions as more fully set forth below.The shelf stable product includes a moisture content and water activityfor shelf stability. The shelf stable fried product has a crispy andcrunchy texture and a resistance to staling. The shelf stable friedproduct can be packaged to facilitate on-the-go snacking where consumersare not required to cook, thaw, heat or otherwise further prepare theproduct prior to consuming the product from the package.

A. METHODS AND PROCESSES

FIG. 1 is an exemplary operational flow diagram of an exemplary processfor managing fat migration, managing moisture migration, and managingcell degradation to produce an aesthetic shelf stable fried product.Operational flow 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 as a series of operations. Asindicated herein, the order of the operations can be rearranged orreconfigured. As also indicated herein, certain operations can beeliminated from the operational flow 100 depending on the startingproduct and the desired end product. Operations are exemplarilyindicated. As indicated herein, certain operations can be decisionoperations which may or may not be utilized in operation 100 dependingon the starting product and the level of fat, moisture, and productmatrix management desired. Operations associated with operational flow100 can be automatic in response to an event, manual in response to anoperator determination, operator driven, software driven, and/orequipment driven. Operational flow 100 discloses several operations thathave an affect on fat migration, moisture migration, and product matrixin a fried and/or vacuum fried product. Each individual operation canhave a sufficient affect on fat, moisture, and product matrix managementto improve the aesthetic properties of an end product. The fullcombination of operations can have a sufficient affect on fat, moisture,and product matrix management to improve the aesthetic properties of anend product. Also, various combinations of operations can have asufficient affect on fat, moisture, and product matrix management toimprove the aesthetic properties of an end product. The combinations andsub-combinations are more fully set forth below.

1. Product Selection

Operational flow 100 begins at start operation 102 and continues tooperation 104 where a raw product is selected. The term “product” isused herein to refer to a raw food item, a starting food item, an endingfood item, and/or a food item at any point in operational flow 100. Anytype of vegetable or fruit can be used in association with operationalflow 100. For example, the raw product may include a potato. Examples ofpotatoes include, but are not limited to, Russet potatoes, Goldrushpotatoes, White potatoes, Red potatoes, Yellow potatoes, Ruby potatoes,Australian potatoes, Yukon potatoes, Peruvian Blue potatoes, Superiorpotatoes, Kennebec potatoes, Katchdin potatoes, New potatoes and Sweetpotatoes. Other examples of raw products include any type of onion.Other types of raw products may include any type of fruit. Still otherexamples of raw products may include avocado, beets, broccoli, carrots,cauliflower, corn, beans, peppers, pepperoncini, cucumber, pickle, peas,squash and zucchini. Again, the above examples are not meant to be anexhaustive list, but a list of a few examples of raw products that mayutilize the aforementioned methods and processes. The disclosure hereinsets forth several examples associated with potatoes, sweet potatoes,and onion. The examples are included to show a spectrum that includesproducts with a high starch content (for example a potato) to productswith a high moisture content (for example onion and fruits). Theexamples are also included to show a spectrum that includes productswith high complex carbohydrates (for example potato) to products withhigh simple carbohydrates (for example onion and fruits). These examplesare not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure. In light of theteachings herein, a person of skill in the art will understand that amyriad of fruits and vegetables of the spectrum may utilize theprocesses. The product selected can go through a wash, sort, and/or peelstep. Products can be sorted for a specific size or other attribute togive a unique appearance such as a specific size or type of cut.

2. Tempering

From select operation 104, operational flow 100 can optionally continueto operation 106. At operation 106, it can be decided whether to temperthe selected product. Depending on the starting raw product, the productcan be tempered. For example, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, andother vegetables can utilize tempering 106. As another example, onions,sweet potatoes, fruits, and other vegetables may not utilize tempering106. If it is decided not to temper the product, operational flow 100continues to operation 108 without tempering 106.

Tempering operation 106 can include heating the product at a temperatureof about 100° F. to 155° F. for about 15 to 60 minutes. The product canbe tempered for about 15 to 20 minutes, about 20 to 25 minutes, about 25to 30 minutes, about 30 to 35 minutes, about 35 to 40 minutes, about 40to 45 minutes, about 45 to 50 minutes, about 50 to 55 minutes, and about55 to 60 minutes, inclusive. The product can be tempered at atemperature of about 100° F. to 105° F., about 105° F. to 110° F., about110° F. to 115° F., about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to 125° F.,about 125° F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135° F. to140° F., about 140° F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., and about150° F. to 155° F., inclusive.

As one non-limiting example associated with a potato product, a potatocan be tempered at a temperature of about 100° F. to 155° F. for about30 to 40 minutes. In one aspect, the potato is tempered at a temperatureof about 130° F. to 140° F. The potato can be tempered at a temperatureof about 100° F. to 105° F., about 105° F. to 110° F., about 110° F. to115° F., about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to 125° F., about 125°F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135° F. to 140° F., about140° F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., and about 150° F. to 155°F., inclusive. The potato can be tempered for about 30 minutes, about 31minutes, about 32 minutes, about 33 minutes, about 34 minutes, about 35minutes, about 36 minutes, about 37 minutes, about 38 minutes, about 39minutes, and about 40 minutes.

As one non-limiting example associated with a sweet potato or an onion,sweet potatoes and onions may not be tempered.

Tempering the product has an affect on fat and moisture management andultimately the texture of the final product. In general, tempering theproduct has an affect on the appearance of the final product and has anaffect on fat and moisture management via the adhesion of the surfaceapplication, which ultimately improves the texture of the final product.Tempering the product at temperatures and times indicated above providesfor a smooth cut of the product. The smooth cut of the product allowsfor a less jagged appearance, proper surface application adhesion duringoperation 118, and a reduction in jagged edges. Reducing surface areareduces area through which fat and moisture have an opportunity tomigrate, which increases fat and moisture uptake of the product. Propersurface application adhesion during operation 118 provides an impedimentaround the product to help reduce fat migration during frying and/orvacuum frying operations. The management of fat migration during thevacuum frying and/or frying operations affects the aesthetic propertiesof the final product. Final products with managed fat and moisturemigration, via tempering operation 106, have a crispy and/or crunchytexture. Stated another way, less jagged edges provide for a betterproduct appearance and uniform surface application adhesion mitigatescracks, fissures, and pockets.

3. Sizing & Cutting

From tempering operation 106, operational flow 100 can optionallycontinue to size operation 108 and/or cut operation 110. The productscan be automatically or manually sized. At cut operation 110, theproducts can be cut into desirable shapes and sizes. In other aspects,the products may not be cut and the whole product utilized in the belowprocesses. The cut can be manual, mechanical, or via a water knife. Theproduct can be cut into a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.50 inches. Theproduct can have a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.10 inches, about 0.10 to0.15 inches, about 0.15 to 0.20 inches, about 0.20 to 0.25 inches, about0.25 to 0.30 inches, about 0.30 to 0.35 inches, about 0.35 to 0.40inches, about 0.40 to 0.45 inches, or about 0.45 to 0.50 inches. Inother aspects, the product is not cut and the product is processedwhole. In one aspect, cutting the product may not include producingslurry, grinding the product, or mashing the product. In another aspect,cutting the product includes cutting the product into whole productpieces.

In one aspect, the product is cut into strips. As used herein, the term“strips” is used in its broadest sense to include strips having arectangular cross-section in a shoestring cut. The product could also becut or shaped into round strips. The strips can have any lengthnaturally inherent to the product from which it is cut. In one aspect,the product can have a length of 5 inches or less. The product can becut into other specialized cuts (such as so-called “criss” cuts,“crinkle” cuts, “helical” cuts, “waffle” cuts, “chip” cuts, “straight”cuts, or “lattice” cuts and the like). The product can be cut into anycombination of cuts discussed herein and/or any combination of knowncuts.

In another aspect, products can be cut into rings or strips. Suchproducts can include onion. For example, onions can be cut into piecessuitably sized for onion rings, onion petals, or onion strings/strips.The onion pieces can have a width of 0.1 to 2.0 inches, which caninclude about 0.10 to 0.20 inches, about 0.20 to 0.30 inches, about 0.30to 0.40 inches, about 0.40 to 0.50 inches, about 0.50 to 0.60 inches,about 0.60 to 0.70 inches, about 0.70 to 0.80 inches, about 0.80 to 0.90inches, about 0.90 to 1.00 inches, about 1.00 to 1.10 inches, about 1.10to 1.20 inches, about 1.20 to 1.30 inches, about 1.30 to 1.40 inches,about 1.40 to 1.50 inches, about 1.50 to 1.60 inches, about 1.60 to 1.70inches, about 1.70 to 1.80 inches, about 1.80 to 1.90 inches, or about1.90 to 2.00 inches, inclusive. The onion can have a length of betweenabout 2/8 to 6.0 inches, inclusive.

Although not depicted, from cut operation 110, operational flow 100 cancontinue to a defect removal operation. At the defect removal operation,the cut product goes through a defect removal process. This processeliminates products that contain defects or cuts the defects off of theproduct. This process improves the appearance of the finished product byminimizing the amount of defects seen on the final product. The productcan also be sorted to remove defective pieces to deliver whole cut,aesthetically pleasing products.

4. Priming

From operation 110, operational flow 100 can optionally continue toprime operation 112. At operation 112, it is decided whether to primethe product. Priming may take place via a priming bath, a heat oven,infrared heating, microwave heating, steam heating, spray heating and/orforced heated air. Depending on the starting raw product, the productmay or may not be primed. For example, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruit,onions, or other vegetables can utilize priming operation 112. Asanother example, onions, fruit, or other vegetables may not utilizepriming operation 112. If it is decided not to prime the product,operational flow 100 continues to operation 114 without priming. In someaspects, priming can be a contributor for managing fat, moisture, and/orproduct matrix management.

At priming operation 114, the product is primed. Again, as indicatedabove, priming may be facilitated by a priming bath, an oven, infraredheat, a microwave, steam, forced air, or other source to facilitate theattributes indicated herein. As one non-limiting example, a priming bathmay be utilized for priming. The priming bath my include water,flavoring, color additives, and/or a starch. The starch can beoptionally added to the priming bath in situations where the startingproduct does not include a natural starch.

Priming can occur at a temperature of about 90° F. to 195° F.,inclusive, for about 0.10 minutes to about 10 minutes, inclusive. Theproduct can be primed for less than 10 minutes. The product can beprimed for less than 5 minutes. The product can be primed for less than3 minutes. The bath can have a temperature of about 90° F. to 95° F.,about 95° F. to 100° F., about 100° F. to 105° F., about 105° F. to 110°F., about 110° F. to 115° F., about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to125° F., about 125° F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135°F. to 140° F., about 140° F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., about150° F. to 155° F., about 155° F. to 160° F., about 160° F. to 165° F.,about 165° F. to 170° F., about 170° F. to 175° F., about 175° F. to180° F., about 185° F. to 190° F., and about 190° F. to 195° F. Theproduct can be primed for about 0.1 to 0.2 minutes, about 0.2 to 0.3minutes, about 0.3 to 0.4 minutes, about 0.4 to 0.5 minutes, about 0.5to 0.6 minutes, about 0.6 to 0.7 minutes, about 0.7 to 0.8 minutes,about 0.8 to 0.9 minutes, about 0.9 to 1.0 minutes, about 1.0 to 1.5minutes, about 1.5 to 2.0 minutes, about 2.0 to 2.5 minutes, about 2.5to 3.0 minutes, about 3.0 to 3.5 minutes, about 3.5 to 4.0 minutes,about 4.0 to 4.5 minutes, about 4.5 to 5.0 minutes, about 5.0 to 5.5minutes, about 5.5 to 6.0 minutes, about 6.0 to 7.0 minutes, about 7.0to 8.0 minutes, about 8.0 to 9.0 minutes, and about 9.0 to 10.0 minutes.The temperature and immersion time can vary (even outside of the notedranges), depending, among other variables, upon the type of productutilized, the cut configuration of the product, and the size of theproduct.

As a non-limiting example associated with a potato product, the potatoproduct can be primed at about 155° F. to 165° F. for about 2 to 10minutes. The potato product can be primed at about 155° F., about 156°F., about 157° F., about 158° F., about 159° F., about 160° F., about161° F., about 162° F., about 163° F., about 164° F., and about 165° F.The potato product can be primed for about 2.0 to 2.1 minutes, about 2.1to 2.2 minutes, about 2.2 to 2.3 minutes, about 2.3 to 2.4 minutes,about 2.4 to 2.5 minutes, about 2.5 to 2.6 minutes, about 2.6 to 2.7minutes, about 2.7 to 2.8 minutes, about 2.8 to 2.9 minutes, about 2.9to 3.0 minutes, about 3.0 to 3.5 minutes, about 3.5 to 4.0 minutes,about 4.0 to 4.5 minutes, about 4.5 to 5.0 minutes, about 5.0 to 5.5minutes, about 5.5 to 6.0 minutes, about 6.0 to 7.0 minutes, about 7.0to 8.0 minutes, about 8.0 to 9.0 minutes, and about 9.0 to 10.0 minutes.

As a non-limiting example associated with a sweet potato, the sweetpotato product can be primed at about 185° F. to 200° F. for about 2 to10 minutes. The sweet potato product can be primed at about 185° F.,about 190° F., about 195° F., and about 200° F. The sweet potato productcan be primed for about 2.0 to 2.1 minutes, about 2.1 to 2.2 minutes,about 2.2 to 2.3 minutes, about 2.3 to 2.4 minutes, about 2.4 to 2.5minutes, about 2.5 to 2.6 minutes, about 2.6 to 2.7 minutes, about 2.7to 2.8 minutes, about 2.8 to 2.9 minutes, and about 2.9 to 3.0 minutes,about 3.0 to 3.5 minutes, about 3.5 to 4.0 minutes, about 4.0 to 4.5minutes, about 4.5 to 5.0 minutes, about 5.0 to 5.5 minutes, about 5.5to 6.0 minutes, about 6.0 to 7.0 minutes, about 7.0 to 8.0 minutes,about 8.0 to 9.0 minutes, and about 9.0 to 10.0 minutes.

As a non-limiting example associated with an onion, the onion may or maynot be primed. When the onion product is primed, it can be primed atabout 90° F. to 110° F. for about 2 to 10 minutes. The onion product canbe primed at about 90° F., about 91° F., about 92° F., about 93° F.,about 94° F., about 95° F., about 96° F., about 97° F., about 98° F.,about 99° F., about 100° F., about 101° F., about 102° F., about 103°F., about 104° F., about 105° F., about 106° F., about 107° F., about108° F., about 109° F., and about 110° F. The onion product can beprimed for about 2.0 to 2.1 minutes, about 2.1 to 2.2 minutes, about 2.2to 2.3 minutes, about 2.3 to 2.4 minutes, about 2.4 to 2.5 minutes,about 2.5 to 2.6 minutes, about 2.6 to 2.7 minutes, about 2.7 to 2.8minutes, about 2.8 to 2.9 minutes, and about 2.9 to 3.0 minutes, about3.0 to 3.5 minutes, about 3.5 to 4.0 minutes, about 4.0 to 4.5 minutes,about 4.5 to 5.0 minutes, about 5.0 to 5.5 minutes, about 5.5 to 6.0minutes, about 6.0 to 7.0 minutes, about 7.0 to 8.0 minutes, about 8.0to 9.0 minutes, and about 9.0 to 10.0 minutes.

Priming the product can have an affect on fat and moisture management,product cell matrix, food substrate separation, surface applicationadhesion, and ultimately the texture and color of the final product.Priming promotes product surface preparation while not degrading theinternal cell structures of the product. Stated another way, priming theproduct forms a primed portion on the product. The primed portion actsas an impediment for fat migration and moisture migration. With someproducts, during priming, the primed portion of the product isgelatinized and carbohydrates near the surface of the product areconcentrated. Simple carbohydrates near the surface are removed and thecomplex carbohydrates near the surface of the product are concentrated.The gelatinized surface portion and the concentration of the complexcarbohydrates are a contributor to proper surface application adhesion.Yet, priming as more fully set forth below, maintains carbohydrateintegrity associated with the inner portion of the product. As such,natural flavors associated with the product are maintained duringpriming. The primed portion is also denser via the concentration ofcomplex carbohydrates. As such, the primed portion provides an area fordiffusing steam as steam exits the product during the frying and/orvacuum frying processes. During frying and/or vacuum frying, moistureturns to steam and exits the product from a pressure differential. Whenthe steam encounters the primed portion, the steam is diffused. Thediffused steam provides for a managed exit of steam from the product.The managed exit of steam is less likely to blow surface applicationsoff the product during frying and/or vacuum frying. The diffused exit ofsteam also reduces the formation of steam channels in the product whichcause a volatile exit of steam and provides a path for fat to migrateinto the product during frying and/or vacuum frying. The management offat and moisture migration during the frying and/or vacuum fryingoperation affects the aesthetic properties of the final product.

Priming as set forth herein also facilitates a proper surface forsurface application adhesion. In some products, priming facilitates foodsubstrate separation and hydration of the food substrate to allow aproper surface for surface application adhesion and steam generationduring frying and/or vacuum frying operations. During frying and/orvacuum frying, moisture in the properly hydrated food substrate turns tosteam and exits the product from a pressure differential. When the steamencounters the surface application, the steam is diffused. The diffusedsteam provides for a managed exit of steam from the product. The managedexit of steam is less likely to blow surface applications off theproduct during frying and/or vacuum frying. The diffused exit of steamalso reduces the formation of steam channels in the product which causea volatile exit of steam and provides a path for fat to migrate into theproduct during frying and/or vacuum frying. The management of fat andmoisture migration during the frying and/or vacuum frying operationaffects the aesthetic properties of the final product. Final productswith managed fat, managed moisture, and managed cell matrix, via thepriming operation herein, have a crispy and/or crunchy texture.

5. Soak

From priming operation 112 operational flow 100 can optionally continueto soak operation 114. Soak operation 114 may include an atmosphericsoak, a pressure soak, a vacuum soak, a cold bath soak, and anycombination thereof. During soak operation 114, a solution that caninclude sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), citric acid, sugars, salts,starches, fruit juice concentrates, vegetable juice concentrates,colors, vinegar, acetic acid, flavors, acids, gums, enzymes, and/ormixtures thereof can be applied to the product. In one aspect, a SAPPsolution can be applied by spraying, immersing, or dipping the productto prevent graying of the product. The SAPP can be applied as a sprayhaving a concentration of about of 0.05 to 2.0% by weight, about 0.50 to1.0%, or about 0.70 to 0.80%. The SAPP is applied as a spray having aconcentration of about 0.75%. The desired concentration of SAPP and theother ingredients is influenced by the desired color shade and flavor ofthe end product. For example, as the concentration of dextroseincreases, the final color shade in the finished product becomes darker.Following the SAPP spray, the product can be allowed to drain for a fewminutes. The product can be allowed to soak for 1 second to 12 hours. Ahigh velocity fan nozzle can be used to blow off excess surface moisturewhich otherwise can break down the frying oil through hydrolysis.

As a non-limiting example associated with a potato product or a sweetpotato product, the potato product or sweet potato product can be soakedfor about 0 to 2 minutes. As a non-limiting example associated with anonion product, the onion product may not be soaked.

6. Moisture Reduction

From soak operation 114, operational flow 100 can optionally continue tooperation 116. At operation 116, it can be decided whether to performmoisture reduction on the product. Depending on the starting rawproduct, the product may or may not proceed to moisture reductionoperation 116. For example, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruit, or othervegetables can utilize moisture reduction operation 116. As anotherexample, onions, fruit, or other vegetables may not utilize moisturereduction operation 116. If it is decided not to perform moisturereduction, operational flow 100 continues to operation 118.

At moisture reduction operation 116, the product can utilize moisturereduction via forced air, oven heat, infrared, microwave, mechanicalmoisture reduction, chemical moisture reduction, drip drying,atmospheric drying, or other methods. The product can receive moisturereduction at a temperature of about 65° F. to 250° F., inclusive, forabout 1 to 20 minutes, inclusive. Depending on the starting product, thetemperature can be much broader. For example from about 50° F. to about450° F. The product can receive moisture reduction at a temperature ofabout 65° F. to 70° F., about 70° F. to 75° F., about 75° F. to 80° F.,about 80° F. to 85° F., about 85° F. to 90° F., about 90° F. to 95° F.,about 95° F. to 100° F., about 100° F. to 105° F., about 105° F. to 110°F., about 110° F. to 115° F., about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to125° F., about 125° F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135°F. to 140° F., about 140° F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., about150° F. to 155° F., about 155° F. to 160° F., about 160° F. to 165° F.,about 165° F. to 170° F., about 170° F. to 175° F., about 175° F. to180° F., about 180° F. to 185° F., about 185° F. to 190° F., about 190°F. to 195° F., about 195° F. to 200° F., about 200° F. to 205° F., about205° F. to 210° F., about 210° F. to 215° F., about 215° F. to 220° F.,about 220° F. to 225° F., about 225° F. to 230° F., about 230° F. to235° F., about 235° F. to 240° F., about 240° F. to 245° F., and about245° F. to 250° F. The product can receive moisture reduction for about1 minute, about 2 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 4 minutes, about 5minutes, about 6 minutes, about 7 minutes, about 8 minutes, about 9minutes, about 10 minutes, about 11 minutes, about 12 minutes, about 13minutes, about 14 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 16 minutes, about 17minutes, about 18 minutes, about 19 minutes, or about 20 minutes.

As a non-limiting example associated with a potato product, the potatoproduct can receive moisture reduction at about 110° F. to 200° F. forabout 5 to 15 minutes. The potato product can receive moisture reductionat about 110° F. to 115° F., about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to125° F., about 125° F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135°F. to 140° F., about 140° F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., about150° F. to 155° F., about 155° F. to 160° F., about 160° F. to 165° F.,about 165° F. to 170° F., about 170° F. to 175° F., about 175° F. to180° F., about 180° F. to 185° F., about 185° F. to 190° F., about 190°F. to 195° F., and about 195° F. to 200° F. The potato product canreceive moisture reduction for about 5 minutes, about 6 minutes, about 7minutes, about 8 minutes, about 9 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 11minutes, about 12 minutes, about 13 minutes, about 14 minutes, and about15 minutes.

As a non-limiting example associated with a sweet potato product, thesweet potato product can receive moisture reduction at about 110° F. to200° F. for about 5 to 15 minutes. The sweet potato product can receivemoisture reduction at about 110° F. to 115° F., about 115° F. to 120°F., about 120° F. to 125° F., about 125° F. to 130° F., about 130° F. to135° F., about 135° F. to 140° F., about 140° F. to 145° F., about 145°F. to 150° F., about 150° F. to 155° F., about 155° F. to 160° F., about160° F. to 165° F., about 165° F. to 170° F., about 170° F. to 175° F.,about 175° F. to 180° F., about 180° F. to 185° F., about 185° F. to190° F., about 190° F. to 195° F., and about 195° F. to 200° F. Thesweet potato product can receive moisture reduction for about 5 minutes,about 6 minutes, about 7 minutes, about 8 minutes, about 9 minutes,about 10 minutes, about 11 minutes, about 12 minutes, about 13 minutes,about 14 minutes, and about 15 minutes.

As a non-limiting example associated with an onion, the onion productcan receive moisture reduction at about 65° F. to 110° F. for about 1 to5 minutes. In one aspect, moisture reduction includes drip drying. Theonion product can receive moisture reduction at about 65° F. to 70° F.,about 70° F. to 75° F., about 75° F. to 80° F., about 80° F. to 85° F.,about 85° F. to 90° F., about 90° F. to 95° F., about 95° F. to 100° F.,about 100° F. to 105° F., and about 105° F. to 110° F. The onion productcan receive moisture reduction for about 1 minute, about 2 minutes,about 3 minutes, about 4 minutes, and about 5 minutes.

Moisture reduction of the product has an affect on fat and moisturemanagement and ultimately the texture of the final product. Moisturereduction operation 116 removes surface moisture from the product. Thewater removal prepares the product for surface applications. The removalof the water improves surface application adhesion. The reduction ofwater prevents the surface application from sliding, prevents unwanteddilution of the surface application to maintain a solid percentage, andprevents trapping of water under the surface application that can causethe surface application to blow off during frying and/or vacuum fryingoperations. In one aspect, moisture reduction operation 116 gelatinizesthe surface of a product to create a tacky layer on the product and tofurther concentrate complex carbohydrates from priming. This tacky layerincreases the adhesion of the surface application to allow for coverageof the surface of the product. Proper surface application adhesionduring operation 118 provides an impediment around the product to helpmanage fat migration, add color, add flavor, and provide a uniqueappearance during frying and/or vacuum frying operations. The managementof fat and moisture migration during the frying and/or vacuum fryingaffects the aesthetic properties of the final product. Final productswith managed fat migration and managed moisture content, via moisturereduction operation 116, have a crispy and/or crunchy texture, enhancedcolor, enhanced flavor, and enhanced appearance.

7. Surface Applications

From moisture reduction operation 116, operational flow 100 optionallycontinues to operation 118. At operation 118, it is decided whether toapply a surface application to the product. Depending on the startingraw product, the product may or may not receive a surface application.For example, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruit, or othervegetables can utilize operation 118. As another example, potatoes andsweet potatoes, fruit, and/or other vegetables may not utilize operation118. The batter can be a consumer perceivable surface application suchas a batter and the batter can be a consumer unperceivable surfaceapplication such as a coating. During surface application operation 118,the product can go through a combination of battering andpredusting/breading. Predusting/breading can include differentcoarsenesses of flour, a combination of dry ingredients that couldinclude flour, baked cracked meal, starch, flavors, colors, spices, orother dry ingredients. The product could be battered, predusted thenbattered, battered-predusted-battered,battered-predusted-battered-predusted/breaded, etc. When multiplebatters are used, they can be the same batter or different batter. If itis decided not to apply a surface application to the product,operational flow 100 continues to operation 120 without a surfaceapplication.

Various kinds of starch (functional starches and/or flours) can beutilized in the batter, such as corn starch, potato starch, tapiocastarch, arrowroot starch, rice starch, oat starch, barley starch, wheatstarch, and combinations thereof. The batter composition can includestarches, fiber, gums, flours, proteins, flavors, spices, colors,seasonings, and ingredients thereof.

The effectiveness of the surface application can be dependent, in part,upon the composition of the surface application, the viscosity of thesurface application, the amount of surface application utilized, theadhesion of the surface application, and the evenness of the surfaceapplication. As stated, tempering operation 106, priming operation 112,and moisture reduction application 116 have a positive affect on surfaceapplication adhesion. The fat impediment properties and the adhesion ofthe surface application have an affect on fat management, productmatrix, moisture migration, color, flavor, and texture associated withthe product. If not enough surface application is utilized, more fatwill be absorbed during frying and/or vacuum frying having a negativeaffect on the texture and appearance of the fried product. The coatingof the surface application can be impeded by the shape of the surface ofthe product. Jagged edges and crevices decrease the evenness of thesurface application and can prevent the surface application from coatingthe surface. Further, ruptured cells can absorb portions of the surfaceapplication and can decrease its evenness and create a need for moresurface application. The amount of surface application utilized can alsohave an affect on the end texture. The percentage of solids in thesurface application has an affect on the viscosity and the products pickup/absorption rate. A surface application viscosity of 7 to 20 secondson a Stein cup can be used. The viscosity can be about 7 seconds, about8 seconds, about 9 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 11 seconds, about 12seconds, about 13 seconds, about 14 seconds, about 15 seconds, about 16seconds, about 17 seconds, about 18 seconds, about 19 seconds, or about20 seconds. If not enough surface application or surface applicationwith too low of a viscosity is utilized, the finished product will havetoo little color, and/or flavor. The surface application can also havean appearance of particulates and more fat can be absorbed during thefrying and/or vacuum frying operation having a negative affect ontexture and aesthetics to the fried product. Aspects of the battercomposition provide the desired texture of the fried food product.

As a non-limiting example associated with a sweet potato or a potatoproduct, the sweet potato or potato product can receive a surfaceapplication having a viscosity of about 8 to 10 seconds (Stein cupmeasurement). The viscosity may be about 8.0 to 8.5 seconds, about 8.5to 9.0 seconds, about 9.0 to 9.5 seconds, and about 9.5 to 10.0 seconds.The viscosity can be less than 10 seconds.

As a non-limiting example associated with an onion product, the onionproduct can be battered a first time, dusted, and battered a secondtime. The first and second batter can have a viscosity of about 9 to 12seconds (Stein cup measurement). The viscosity can be about 9.0 to 9.5seconds, about 9.5 to 10.0 seconds, about 10.0 to 10.5 seconds, about10.5 to 11.0 seconds, about 11.0 to 11.5 seconds, and about 11.5 to 12.0seconds.

8. Fry

From surface application operation 118, operational flow 100 canoptionally continue to fry operation 120. At fry operation 120, theproduct can be fried in hot oil. In another aspect, fry operation 120may include setting surface applications via radiant heat, superheatedbeads, heated air, microwave, infrared, sprayed oil, etc. In anotheraspect, the product can be fried via a vacuum fry operation as indicatedin operation 124. The product can be fried at a temperature of about 250to 400° F., inclusive, for about 0.1 minutes to 7.5 minutes, inclusive.The product can be fried at a temperature of about 250° F. to 255° F.,about 255° F. to 260° F., about 260° F. to 265° F., about 265° F. to270° F., about 270° F. to 275° F., about 275° F. to 280° F., about 280°F. to 285° F., about 285° F. to 290° F., about 290° F. to 295° F., about295° F. to 300° F., about 300° F. to 305° F., about 305° F. to 310° F.,about 310° F. to 315° F., about 315° F. to 320° F., about 320° F. to325° F., about 325° F. to 330° F., about 330° F. to 335° F., about 335°F. to 340° F., about 340° F. to 345° F., about 345° F. to 350° F., about350° F. to 355° F., about 355° F. to 360° F., about 360° F. to 365° F.,about 365° F. to 370° F., about 370° F. to 375° F., about 375° F. to380° F., about 380° F. to 385° F., about 385° F. to 390° F., about 390°F. to 395° F., and about 395° F. to 400° F. The product can be fried forabout 0.10 to 0.20 minutes, about 0.20 to 0.30 minutes, about 0.30 to0.40 minutes, about 0.40 to 0.50 minutes, about 0.50 to 0.60 minutes,about 0.60 to 0.70 minutes, about 0.70 to 0.80 minutes, about 0.80 to0.90 minutes, about 0.90 to 1.0 minutes, about 1.0 to 1.10 minutes,about 1.10 to 1.20 minutes, about 1.20 to 1.30 minutes, about 1.30 to1.40 minutes, about 1.40 to 1.50 minutes, about 1.50 to 1.60 minutes,about 1.60 to 1.70 minutes, about 1.70 to 1.80 minutes, about 1.80 to1.90 minutes, about 1.90 to 2.00 minutes, about 2.00 to 2.10 minutes,about 2.10 to 2.20 minutes, about 2.20 to 2.30 minutes, about 2.30 to2.40 minutes, about 2.40 to 2.50 minutes, about 2.50 to 2.60 minutes,about 2.60 to 2.70 minutes, about 2.70 to 2.80 minutes, about 2.80 to2.90 minutes, about 2.90 to 3.00 minutes, about 3.00 to 3.10 minutes,about 3.10 to 3.20 minutes, about 3.20 to 3.30 minutes, about 3.30 to3.40 minutes, about 3.40 to 3.50 minutes, about 3.50 to 3.60 minutes,about 3.60 to 3.70 minutes, about 3.70 to 3.80 minutes, about 3.80 to3.90 minutes, about 3.90 to 4.00 minutes, about 4.00 to 4.10 minutes,about 4.10 to 4.20 minutes, about 4.20 to 4.30 minutes, about 4.30 to4.40 minutes, about 4.40 to 4.50 minutes, about 4.50 to 4.60 minutes,about 4.60 to 4.70 minutes, about 4.70 to 4.80 minutes, about 4.80 to4.90 minutes, about 4.90 to 5.00 minutes, about 5.00 to 5.10 minutes,about 5.10 to 5.20 minutes, about 5.20 to 5.30 minutes, about 5.30 to5.40 minutes, about 5.40 to 5.50 minutes, about 5.50 to 5.60 minutes,about 5.60 to 5.70 minutes, about 5.70 to 5.80 minutes, about 5.80 to5.90 minutes, about 5.90 to 6.00 minutes, about 6.00 to 6.10 minutes,about 6.10 to 6.20 minutes, about 6.20 to 6.30 minutes, about 6.30 to6.40 minutes, about 6.40 to 6.50 minutes, about 6.50 to 6.60 minutes,about 6.60 to 6.70 minutes, about 6.70 to 6.80 minutes, about 6.80 to6.90 minutes, about 6.90 to 7.00 minutes, about 7.00 to 7.10 minutes,about 7.10 to 7.20 minutes, about 7.20 to 7.30 minutes, about 7.30 to7.40 minutes, or about 7.40 to 7.50 minutes. The product can also befried in a two-step process. The temperatures for either frying step canutilize any of the frying temperatures listed above. The amount of timefor frying for each step can utilize any of the frying times listedabove. The product is fried in any hot oil suitable for frying, such ashigh oleic oil, low linolenic oil, saturated, unsaturated,polyunsaturated, and/or monounsaturated fats/oils. Fry operation 120provides for desirable color and sets the batter to provide animpediment to minimize fat migration, provide color, flavor, appearance,and texture (crispy shell). By setting the surface application duringfry operation, an impediment is formed to facilitate the diffusion ofmoisture in the product as the moisture turns to steam. The frying stagecan also deactivate enzymes. If two stages of frying are utilized, thefirst stage can set the surface application, while the second stage candevelop color and increase the product's solid percentage. Fryingoperation 120 can help reduce vacuum frying time. In general, settingthe surface application during frying forms an initial impediment aroundthe product to help manage fat and moisture migration during fryingand/or vacuum frying. During frying, moisture is forced out of theproduct through the primed portion and/or surface application via steam.The steam has an outward force which hinders the movement of oil intothe product as the steam exits. The exiting of the steam is managed viathe management of the cell structure matrix of the product and via theprimed portion. The surface application can also facilitate themanagement of the exiting steam. For example, the internal cell matrixis managed to mitigate the formation of pockets, fissures, and channelsin the product which will cause an explosive exit of steam as opposed toa diffused managed exit of steam. The management of the steam provides agenerally consistent outward force from the steam which reducesinconsistent fat migrations into the product. The management of fatmigration during the frying operation affects the aesthetic propertiesof the final product. Final products with managed fat migration, via thefry operation set forth herein, have a crispy and/or crunchy texturewhich is more aesthetically pleasing to end consumers. Although fryoperation 120 is described as being an atmospheric pressure fryingoperation, fry operation 128 can also include frying under vacuum, orfrying under pressure.

As a non-limiting example associated with a potato, the potato can befried at about 350° F. to 380° F. The potato can be fried at about 350°F. to 355° F., about 355° F. to 360° F., about 360° F. to 365° F., about365° F. to 370° F., about 370° F. to 375° F., and about 375° F. to 380°F. The frying can include a first fry step and a second fry step. Thefirst fry step can be about 12-20 seconds. The first fry step can beabout 12 seconds, about 13 seconds, about 14 seconds, about 15 seconds,about 16 seconds, about 17 seconds, about 18 seconds, about 19 seconds,and about 20 seconds. The second fry step can be about 20-45 seconds.The second fry step can be about 20-25 seconds, about 25-30 seconds,about 30-35 seconds, about 35-40 seconds, and about 40-45 seconds.

As a non-limiting example associated with a sweet potato, the sweetpotato can be fried at about 350° F. to 380° F. The sweet potato can befried at about 350° F. to 355° F., about 355° F. to 360° F., about 360°F. to 365° F., about 365° F. to 370° F., about 370° F. to 375° F., andabout 375° F. to 380° F. The frying can include a first fry step and asecond fry step. The first fry step can be about 12-20 seconds. Thefirst fry step can be about 12 seconds, about 13 seconds, about 14seconds, about 15 seconds, about 16 seconds, about 17 seconds, about 18seconds, about 19 seconds, and about 20 seconds. The second fry step canbe about 20 to 45 seconds. The second fry step can be about 20 to 25seconds, about 25 to 30 seconds, about 30 to 35 seconds, about 35 to 40seconds, and about 40 to 45 seconds.

As a non-limiting example associated with an onion, the onion can befried at about 350° F. to 380° F. The onion can be fried at about 350°F. to 355° F., about 355° F. to 360° F., about 360° F. to 365° F., about365° F. to 370° F., about 370° F. to 375° F., and about 375° F. to 380°F. The fry step can be about 20 to 45 seconds. The fry step can be about20 seconds, about 25 seconds, about 30 seconds, about 35 seconds, about40 seconds, and about 45 seconds.

10. Freeze

From fry operation 120, operational flow 100 can optionally continue tofreeze operation 122. Depending on the starting raw product, the productmay or may not be frozen. For example, onions, sweet potatoes, potatoes,fruit, and other vegetables can utilize the freeze operation. As anotherexample, onions, sweet potatoes, potatoes, fruit, and other vegetablesmay not utilize the freeze operation. The product can utilize freezeoperation 122 when shipping to another location when vacuum frying isdesired or when further maintenance of the internal structural productmatrix is desired. If it is decided not to freeze the product,operational flow 100 continues to operation 124 as indicated below. Inone aspect, the product can be initially cooled to a temperature of 40°F. to 180° F. to remove the latent heat. The product can be cooled forabout 5 minutes. The product can be cooled to a temperature of about 40°F. to 45° F., about 45° F. to 50° F., about 50° F. to 55° F., about 55°F. to 60° F., about 60° F. to 65° F., about 65° F. to 70° F., about 70°F. to 75° F., about 75° F. to 80° F., about 80° F. to 85° F., about 85°F. to 90° F., about 90° F. to 95° F., about 95° F. to 100° F., about100° F. to 105° F., about 105° F. to 110° F., about 110° F. to 115° F.,about 115° F. to 120° F., about 120° F. to 125° F., about 125° F. to130° F., about 130° F. to 135° F., about 135° F. to 140° F., about 140°F. to 145° F., about 145° F. to 150° F., about 150° F. to 155° F., about155° F. to 160° F., about 160° F. to 165° F., about 165° F. to 170° F.,about 170° F. to 175° F., and about 175° F. to 180° F. Cooling can speedup the freeze operation 122 and further reduce the moisture content ofthe product.

The product can be quickly frozen until the product reaches atemperature of no more than 32° F. In another aspect, the product isfrozen until it reaches a temperature less than 18° F. The product canbe quick frozen at a temperature of about −40° F. to 0° F. The productcan be quick frozen at a temperature of about −40° F., about −35° F.,about −30° F., about −25° F., about −20° F., about −15° F., about −10°F., about −5° F., and about 0° F. In one aspect, the product can bequick frozen at −16° F., −17° F., or −18° F. The product can be quickfrozen for about 5 to 30 minutes. In one aspect the product is frozenfor about 10 minutes, about 11 minutes, or about 12 minutes.

In general, the freeze manages the structures of the cells in theproduct by reducing cell ruptures and structural collapse during fryingand/or vacuum frying. For example, the formation of ice crystalsprovides structural support for the internal product matrix as theproduct is fried and/or vacuum fried. When a product is fried and/orvacuum fried, the product thaws from the outside of the product to theinside of the product. The thawing changes the ice into liquid. Then theliquid is turned to steam. The transformation from ice to steam takesmore energy and time than a transformation from liquid to steam. Assuch, internal cells of the internal product matrix are structurallysupported for a longer time via the ice crystals of the internal cells.This allows time for the heat to fix the structural product matrixbefore it collapses from the existence of steam.

Further, managed cell structures facilitate the management of fatmigration in the product. The freeze also solidifies fat on the outsideof the product. As the frozen fat thaws on the surface of the productduring frying and/or vacuum frying, fat is impeded from entering theproduct. Moreover, freezing the product manages moisture in the product.The freeze causes a distribution of small ice crystals in the product.When the product is fried and/or vacuum fried, the small ice crystalsvaporize into steam. The steam is defused from the product via thepriming portion and/or surface application to cause an outward forcefrom the steam. This outward force impedes the migration of oil into theproduct across the surface of the product. From the distribution andsize of the ice crystals, steam is diffused throughout the product asopposed to the steam being localized through moisture pockets or largeice crystal formation and channels in the product cell matrix.Accordingly, freezing the product provides a window of time when fatmigration into the product is hindered. Freezing also sets the surfaceapplication which creates an impediment for preventing the absorption ofoil and fat during frying and/or vacuum frying. Freezing the productfurther allows for the product to remain free flowing, which minimizesthe formation of clumps in the frying and/or vacuum frying process thatcreates an undesirable appearance and texture in the finished product.Therefore, freezing manages fat, moisture migration, and product matrix,and improves the resulting texture of the product.

As one non-limiting example associated with an onion, fruit, potato,vegetable, or sweet potato, the onion, fruit, potato, vegetable, orsweet potato can be frozen at a temperature of about 0° F. to −40° F.for about 10 to 12 minutes. The products can be frozen at a temperatureof about −16° F., about −17° F., and about −18° F. The products can befrozen for about 10 minutes, about 11 minutes, and about 12 minutes.

11. Vacuum Fry

From freeze operation 122, operational flow 100 can optionally continueto vacuum fry operation 124. As indicated, the product may be friedonly, vacuum fried only, or fried and vacuum fried. Vacuum fry operation124 vacuum fries the product in oil to a moisture content of at mostabout 10%. The moisture may be less than 5% moisture. The moisturecontent after vacuum frying can be at most about 10%, about 9.5%, about9.0%, about 8.5%, about 8.0%, about 7.5%, about 7.0%, about 6.5%, about6.0%, about 5.5%, about 5.0%, about 5.90%, about 5.80%, about 5.70%,about 5.60%, about 5.50%, about 5.40%, about 5.30%, about 5.20%, about5.10%, about 5.00%, about 4.90%, about 4.80%, about 4.70%, about 4.60%,about 4.50%, about 4.40%, about 4.30%, about 4.20%, about 4.10%, about4.00%, about 3.90%, about 3.80%, about 3.70%, about 3.60%, about 3.50%,about 3.40%, about 3.30%, about 3.20%, about 3.10%, about 3.00%, about2.90%, about 2.80%, about 2.70%, about 2.60%, about 2.50%, about 2.40%,about 2.30%, about 2.20%, about 2.10%, about 2.00%, about 1.90%, about1.80%, about 1.70%, about 1.60%, about 1.50%, about 1.40%, about 1.30%,about 1.20%, about 1.10%, about 1.00%, about 0.90%, about 0.80%, about0.70%, about 0.60%, about 0.50%, about 0.40%, about 0.30%, about 0.20%,or about 0.10%. The amount of moisture in the vacuum fried food productaffects the texture of the vacuum fried food product. Higher moisturewill result in a chewy and less crispy product.

The product may be fried in oil having a temperature between about 190°F. to 265° F., inclusive, for about 5 to 45 minutes, inclusive. Theproduct can be fried at about 190° F. to 195° F., about 195° F. to 200°F., about 200° F. to 205° F., about 205° F. to 210° F., about 210° F. to215° F., about 215° F. to 220° F., about 220° F. to 225° F., about 225°F. to 230° F., about 230° F. to 235° F., about 235° F. to 240° F., about240° F. to 245° F., about 245° F. to 250° F., about 250° F. to 255° F.,about 255° F. to 260° F., and about 260° F. to 265° F. If the product isfrozen by freezing operation 122, the oil can have a different startingtemperature than its frying temperature to adjust for the impact of thefrozen product on the oil temperature. The vacuum pressure is maintainedat about 26 to 29.92 inches of mercury. The vacuum pressure can be about26 inches, about 27 inches, about 28 inches, or about 29 inches ofmercury. The vacuum pressure can be about 26 to 27 inches, about 26 to28 inches, about 26 to 29 inches, about 27 to 28 inches, about 27 to 29inches, and about 28 to 29 inches of mercury. At a constant temperature,the higher the vacuum in inches of mercury, the more readily watervaporizes, forcing steam out of the product and allowing less fat tomigrate into the product, typically leading to a reduced fry time. Thelower the vacuum in inches of mercury, the less steam is being produced,leading to more fat migration into the product typically leading toincreased frying time. The vacuum fryer provides a closed, sealedenvironment from which air and other vapors are being evacuatedcontinuously. The vacuum fryer can agitate/shake the products duringvacuum frying. The agitation can prevent clumping during the vacuumfrying and promote a more even cooking of the product.

As one non-limiting example associated with potatoes, sweet potatoes,vegetables, and onions, the product can be vacuum fried at a temperatureof about 250° F. to 265° F. for about 15 to 20 minutes at a pressure ofabout 26 to 29.92 inches. The temperature can be about 250° F., about255° F., about 260° F., and about 265° F. The vacuum fry time can beabout 15 minutes, about 16 minutes, about 17 minutes, about 18 minutes,about 19 minutes, and about 20 minutes.

The parameters utilized to vacuum fry the product are calculated so thatvacuum frying mitigates fat migration, mitigates excess moisture,mitigates cell degradation, mitigates oil degradation, and mitigates thedegradation of desired nutrients. The other operations set forth hereinhave an affect on the outcome of the vacuum frying operation. Temperingthe product results in enhanced surface application adhesion. Theenhanced surface application adhesion reduces batter blow off duringvacuum frying. The reduced batter blow off reduces the paths throughwhich fat can migrate into the product. Priming the product creates apriming portion and/or facilitates proper surface application adhesionand hydration. The priming portion can include a tacky surface whichpromotes batter adhesion. The enhanced surface application adhesionreduces batter blow off during vacuum frying. The reduced batter blowoff reduces the paths through which fat can migrate into the product.The primed portion can also include concentrated complex carbohydrates.The primed portion and/or surface application diffuses steam as it exitsthe product during vacuum frying. The diffused steam reduces the forceof the steam and mitigates surface application blow off. The diffusedsteam also provides an outward force from the product sufficient tocounter the force of fat migration into the product. Moisture reductionresults in enhanced surface application adhesion which reduces fatuptake during vacuum frying. The enhanced surface application adhesionreduces batter blow off during vacuum frying. The reduced batter blowoff reduces the paths through which fat can migrate into the product.Frying results in a set surface application which reduces fat uptakeduring vacuum frying. Freezing provides for small ice crystals and amanaged internal cell structure, which provides a window for reduced fatmigration into the product during vacuum frying via the steam exitingthe product.

12. Oil Reduction

From vacuum fry operation 124, operational flow 100 can optionallycontinue to operation 126. At operation 126, it is decided whether toreduce the oil in the product. In one aspect, oil is reduced via acentrifugal process. In another aspect, oil is reduced in anon-intrusive oil reduction process. Non-intrusive oil reduction caninclude a hold process where the oil is allowed to drip from the productunder vacuum. During a product hold process, the product is held under avacuum from about 1 to 10 minutes to allow for excess oil to drip off.The hold process can be held under a vacuum for about 1 minute, about 2minutes, about 3 minutes, about 4 minutes, about 5 minutes, about 6minutes, about 7 minutes, about 8 minutes, about 9 minutes, or about 10minutes. Operation 126 can hold the vacuum fried food product under thesame vacuum pressure as utilized in the vacuum frying to allow for theexcess oil to drip off. Holding the product in a vacuum is anon-intrusive process for removing excess oil from the product. Inanother aspect, the oil can include a seasoning or a seasoning can beapplied to the product under pressure. When the vacuum is released, thepressure differential between the inside of the product and theatmospheric pressure causes a minor suction. This minor suction can beutilized to infuse flavors into the product.

13. Seasoning

From oil reduction operation 126, operational flow 100 can optionallycontinue to seasoning operation 128. At operation 128, the product mayor may not be seasoned. If it is decided not to season the product,operational flow 100 continues to operation 130 as indicated below. Ifit is decided to season the product, the seasoning can be applied by anysuitable method for applying a seasoning to the product. For example,the seasoning can be applied via a topical application, a waterfallapplication, a spray application, a tumbling application, a dippingapplication, or combinations thereof. The seasoning can be any edibleseasoning, flavoring, coloring, and seasoning combination as desired.For example, the seasoning can include cheddar, ranch, barbecue,rosemary, garlic, pepper, red pepper, parsley, Italian spices, orcombinations thereof. This list is not restrictive.

In another aspect, seasoning can be applied during any operation ofoperational flow 100. Seasoning of the product is not restricted toseasoning at operation 128. For example, the tempering bath may includea seasoning that is infused into the product under atmospheric pressureor in a vacuum at tempering operation 106. As another example, seasoningmay be applied to the priming bath at operation 112. In yet anotherexample, seasoning may be applied during soak operation 114. In stillanother example, seasoning may be incorporated into the surfaceapplication at operation 118. In still other examples, oil may includeflavoring for infusing flavor during fry operation 120 and/or vacuum fryoperation 124.

14. Packaging & Equilibration

Operational flow 100 continues to package operation 130 where theproduct is packaged. The product can be packaged to have a modifiedatmosphere with reduced oxygen levels to increase the time beforeexpiration. The package can contain about 5% oxygen. The package cancontain about 0%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, or about 5%oxygen. During packaging, a gas flush and/or oxygen scavenges can beutilized to reduce the oxygen level. In one aspect, the gas flush caninclude aromatics to provide a desirable scent to the packaged product.

From package operation 130, operational flow 100 can continue toequilibration operation 132. At operation 132, the product may or maynot be allowed to equilibrate. If it is decided not to equilibrate theproduct, operational flow 100 continues to end operation 134, asindicated below. If it is decided to equilibrate the product, theproduct is equilibrated by letting the packaged product set beforeshipping. Operational flow then ends at end operation 134.

B. EXEMPLARY PROCESS COMBINATIONS

As more fully set forth below in this section, a few exemplary processcombinations are discussed. The combination examples are not meant tolimit the scope of the application in any manner but are merely toprovide examples of a process in association with a product. A myriad ofprocess combinations exist for each product to achieved a resultingproduct depending on the attributes desired in the resulting product.

In one aspect, the process may include a process for making a shelfstable food product. The process may include priming the whole foodpiece for about 0.10 minutes to about 10 minutes to create a primed foodpiece, applying a surface application to the primed food piece to createa food piece having a surface application, frying the food piece havingthe surface application to create a fried food product, and packagingthe fried food product in a package having reduced atmospheric oxygenlevels to create the shelf stable food product. The process may includefrying or vacuum frying and the reduced atmospheric oxygen levels mayinclude about 0% to about 5% oxygen.

The whole food piece of the process may include at least one member of agroup comprising: a strip cut, a shoestring cut, a criss cut, a crinklecut, a helical cut, a waffle cut, a straight cut, a ring shape, a petalcut, and a lattice cut. The whole food piece of the process may includeat least one member of a group comprising: a fruit and a vegetable.

The process may further include applying a soak solution to the primedfood piece, wherein the soak solution includes at least one member of agroup comprising: sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), citric acid, sugar,salt, starch, fruit juice concentrate, vegetable juice concentrate,color, vinegar, acetic acid, flavor, acid, gum, and enzymes.

The priming of the food piece may include priming at a temperature of atleast one member of a group comprising: 155° F. to about 165° F., and185° F. to about 200° F. The priming of the food piece may includepriming the whole food piece in a priming bath to create a primedportion of concentrated complex carbohydrates while maintaining anunprimed portion of the whole food piece.

Applying a surface application to the primed food piece may include atleast one member of a group comprising: coating, battering, predustingthen battering, battering then predusting then battering a second time,battering then predusting then battering a second time then breading,battering then predusting then battering a second time then predusting asecond time then battering a third time, battering then predusting thenbattering a second time then predusting a second time then battering athird time then breading.

The process may also include causing non-intrusive oil reduction afterthe frying. The non-intrusive oil reduction may include holding thefried food product to cause excess oil to drip from the fried foodproduct. The non-intrusive oil reduction may further include applying aflavoring to the fried food product to cause flavorings to infuse intothe fried food product.

The process may further include freezing prior to frying to create afrozen food product. Freezing may include initially cooling the productto a temperature of about 40° F. to about 180° F. prior to freezing.

The process for making a shelf stable food product may include theresulting shelf stable food product having a fried food portion, asurface application portion proximal a surface of the fried foodportion, a fat content of an outer portion of the shelf stable foodproduct of about 55% to about 95% of total fat content of the shelfstable food product, about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, anda water activity of about 0 to about 0.6. The fried food portion of theresulting food product may include a primed portion and an unprimedportion. The primed portion may include a concentration of complexcarbohydrates in relation to the unprimed portion.

In another aspect, the process may include a process for making a shelfstable food product. The process may include applying a surfaceapplication to a food piece to create a food piece having a surfaceapplication, frying the food piece having a surface application in oilto create a fried food product having a fat content of the surfaceapplication portion of about 55% to about 95% of the total fat of theshelf stable food product, and packaging the fried food product in apackage having reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

The process for making a shelf stable food product may include theresulting shelf stable food product having a fried food portion, asurface application portion, a void portion between the surfaceapplication portion and the fried food portion, a fat content of anouter portion of the shelf stable food product of about 55% to about 95%of total fat content of the shelf stable food product, about 0% wtmoisture to about 10% wt moisture, and a water activity of about 0 toabout 0.6.

In another aspect, the process may include a process for making a shelfstable potato product. The process for making the shelf stable potatoproduct may include cutting a potato to create a whole potato piecehaving a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches, primingthe whole potato piece for about 0.10 minutes to about 10 minutes tocreate a primed potato piece, applying a surface application to theprimed potato piece to create a potato piece having a surfaceapplication, frying the potato piece having the surface application tocreate a fried potato product, and packaging the fried potato product ina package having reduced atmospheric oxygen levels to create the shelfstable potato product. The reduced oxygen levels may include about 0% toabout 5% oxygen. The frying may include atmospheric frying and/or vacuumfrying.

Cutting the potato may include cutting the potato to have at least onemember of a group comprising: a strip cut, a shoestring cut, a crisscut, a crinkle cut, a helical cut, a waffle cut, a straight cut, and alattice cut. The whole potato piece may be at least one member of agroup comprising: a Russet potato, a Goldrush potato, a White potato, aRed potato, a Yellow potato, a Ruby potato, an Australian potato, aYukon potato, a Peruvian Blue potato, a Superior potato, a Kennebecpotato, a Katchdin potato, a New potato, and a Sweet potato.

The process for making a shelf stable potato product may also includeapplying a soak solution to the primed potato piece, wherein the soaksolution includes at least one member of a group comprising: sodium acidpyrophosphate (SAPP), citric acid, sugar, salt, starch, fruit juiceconcentrate, vegetable juice concentrate, color, vinegar, acetic acid,flavor, acid, gum, and enzymes.

The whole potato piece may be primed at a temperature of at least onemember of a group comprising: 155° F. to about 165° F., and 185° F. toabout 200° F. Priming the whole potato piece may include priming thewhole potato piece in a priming bath to create a primed portion ofconcentrated complex carbohydrates while maintaining an unprimed portionof the whole potato piece.

Applying a surface application to the dried potato piece may include atleast one member of a group comprising: battering, predusting thenbattering, battering then predusting then battering a second time,battering then predusting then battering a second time then breading,battering then predusting then battering a second time then predusting asecond time then battering a third time, battering then predusting thenbattering a second time then predusting a second time then battering athird time then breading.

The process for making a shelf stable potato product may also includecausing non-intrusive oil reduction after the frying. The non-intrusiveoil reduction includes holding the fried potato product to cause excessoil to drip from the fried potato product. The non-intrusive oilreduction may further include applying a flavoring to the fried potatoproduct to cause flavorings to infuse into the fried potato product.

The process for making a shelf stable potato product may also includefreezing prior to frying to create a frozen potato product. The freezingmay include initially cooling to a temperature of about 40° F. to about180° F. prior to freezing.

The process for making a shelf stable potato product may include theresulting shelf stable potato product having a fried potato portionhaving a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches, a surfaceapplication portion proximal a surface of the fried potato portion, afat content of an outer portion of the shelf stable potato product ofabout 55% to about 95% of total fat content of the shelf stable potatoproduct, about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, a water activityof about 0 to about 0.6, and a hardness of about 1000 g to about 4600 g.The fried potato portion may include a primed portion and an unprimedportion. The primed portion may include a concentration of complexcarbohydrates in relation to the unprimed portion.

In another aspect, the process may include a process for making a shelfstable onion product. The process for making the shelf stable onionproduct may include applying a batter to an onion piece to create anonion piece having a batter, frying the onion piece having the batter inoil to create a fried onion product having a fat content of the batterof about 55% to about 95% of the total fat of the shelf stable onionproduct, and packaging the fried onion product in a package havingreduced atmospheric oxygen levels. The reduced atmospheric oxygen levelmay include an oxygen level of about 0% to about 5%. The frying mayinclude frying at atmospheric pressure and/or frying under a vacuum.

The process for making a shelf stable onion product may include freezingthe onion piece having the batter prior to frying. Freezing may includefreezing at sub-zero temperatures. Freezing may also include initiallycooling to a temperature of about 40° F. to about 180° F. prior tofreezing.

The process for making a shelf stable onion product may further includehydrating the onion piece in a soak solution that includes at least onemember of a group comprising: sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), citricacid, sugar, salt, starch, fruit juice concentrate, vegetable juiceconcentrate, color, vinegar, acetic acid, flavor, acid, gum, andenzymes.

The battering may include at least one member of a group comprising:coating, battering, predusting then battering, battering then predustingthen battering a second time, battering then predusting then battering asecond time then breading, battering then predusting then battering asecond time then predusting a second time then battering a third time,battering then predusting then battering a second time then predusting asecond time then battering a third time then breading.

The process for making a shelf stable onion product may further includecausing non-intrusive oil reduction after the frying. The non-intrusiveoil reduction may include holding the fried onion product to causeexcess oil to drip from the fried onion product. The non-intrusive oilreduction may also include applying a flavoring to the fried onionproduct to cause flavorings to infuse into the fried onion product.

The process for making a shelf stable potato product may include theresulting shelf stable onion product having a fried onion portion, abatter portion, a fat content of the batter portion of about 55% toabout 95% of total fat content of the shelf stable onion product, about0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, and a water activity of about 0to about 0.6.

The fried onion portion of the resulting shelf stable onion product mayinclude at least one member of a group comprising: a ring shape, a petalcut, a strip cut and a string cut. The fried onion portion of theresulting shelf stable onion product may be at least one member of agroup comprising: an atmospheric fried onion portion and a vacuum friedonion portion.

The batter portion of the resulting shelf stable onion product mayinclude a hardness of about 500 g to about 3000 g at a strain of about 2mm to about 15 mm. The resulting shelf stable onion product may includea wt moisture of about 0% wt moisture to about 5% wt moisture. Theresulting shelf stable onion product may include a wt moisture of about0% wt moisture to about 3% wt moisture. The resulting shelf stable onionproduct may include a water activity is about 0 to about 0.4.

C. SHELF STABLE FRIED PRODUCT

The fried products as set forth below are shelf stable, have anadvantageous fat distribution and include a crispy and/or crunchytexture. The crispy and/or crunchy texture, the shelf stability, and fatdistribution is facilitated by the managing of fat, moisture, and/or theinternal cell structure during the creation of the product. FIG. 2represents one possible cross-sectional illustration of fried product200. In one exemplary aspect, FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectionalillustration of a fried potato product or other product with a starchyor complex carbohydrate base. Although fried product 200 is representedin FIG. 2 as having a generally square cross-section, fried product 200can have any shaped cross-section. For example, the shape can begenerally rectangular, generally circular, generally oval, generallytriangular, generally octagonal, etc. The cross-section can be across-section of a fried product or a portion of a fried product. Forexample, the cross-section can be associated with all or a portion of afried product having a criss cut, crinkle cut, helical cut, waffle cut,lattice cut, fry cut, shoestring cut, ring cut, chip cut, etc.

Fried product 200 includes surface portion 202, primed portion 204, andinner product portion 206. Surface portion 202 can include a fatportion, a surface application portion, and/or a combination of asurface application and fat. In this example, primed portion 204 andinner portion 206 make up the food product portion (e.g., potato, sweetpotato, or other product). Primed portion 204 includes a portion ofsolubilized complex carbohydrates generated from prime operation 112. Inone aspect, the complex carbohydrates are concentrated as compared toinner product portion 206. In another aspect, primed portion 204includes reduced simple carbohydrates as compared to inner portion 206.In another aspect, inner product portion 206 includes a higherconcentration of simple carbohydrates than primed portion 204.

In another aspect, surface portion 202 and primed portion 204 may bedescribed as the outer portion of fried product 200 and inner productportion 206 may be described as the inner portion of fried product 200.The outer portion (e.g., surface portion 202 and primed portion 204) mayinclude a fat content of about 55% to about 95% of total fat of thefried product 200. The outer portion may include about 55%, about 60%,about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, andabout 95% of the total fat content of fried product 200. The fat contentof the outer portion may be at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, and 95% of the total fat content of fried product 200. Surfaceportion 202 of the outer portion can include a fat content of about 20%to about 95% of total fat of fried product 200. Surface portion 202 ofthe outer portion can include about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%,about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, and about 95% ofthe total fat content of fried product 200. Surface portion 202 of theouter portion can include at least 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%,55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95% of the total fat contentof fried product 200. The outer portion and the inner portion may have afat differential between about 10% and about 90%. The outer and innerportion may have a fat differential of about 10%, about 20%, about 30%,about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%.The outer portion and the inner portion may have a fat differential ofat least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%.

The moisture content of the fried product can be between about 0.01% andabout 10.0%, inclusive. The moisture content of the fried product can bebelow about 5%. The moisture content of the fried product can be belowabout 3%. The moisture content can be about 10%, about 9.5%, about 9.0%,about 8.5%, about 8.0%, about 7.5%, about 7.0%, about 6.5%, about 6.0%,about 5.5%, about 5.0%, about 5.90%, about 5.80%, about 5.70%, about5.60%, about 5.50%, about 5.40%, about 5.30%, about 5.20%, about 5.10%,about 5.00%, about 4.90%, about 4.80%, about 4.70%, about 4.60%, about4.50%, about 4.40%, about 4.30%, about 4.20%, about 4.10%, about 4.00%,about 3.90%, about 3.80%, about 3.70%, about 3.60%, about 3.50%, about3.40%, about 3.30%, about 3.20%, about 3.10%, about 3.00%, about 2.90%,about 2.80%, about 2.70%, about 2.60%, about 2.50%, about 2.40%, about2.30%, about 2.20%, about 2.10%, about 2.00%, about 1.90%, about 1.80%,about 1.70%, about 1.60%, about 1.50%, about 1.40%, about 1.30%, about1.20%, about 1.10%, about 1.00%, about 0.90%, about 0.80%, about 0.70%,about 0.60%, about 0.50%, about 0.40%, about 0.30%, about 0.20%, orabout 0.01%.

The fried product can have a water activity of between about 0.01 andabout 0.6, inclusive. The water activity of the fried product can bebelow about 0.6. The water activity of the fried product can be about0.01, about 0.05, about 0.10, about 0.15, about 0.20, about 0.25, about0.30, about 0.35, about 0.40, about 0.45, about 0.50, about 0.55, andabout 0.60.

The fried product can have a solids percentage of between about 90% and99.99%, inclusive. The solids percentage of the fried product can beabout 90%, about 90.5%, about 91.0%, about 91.5%, about 92.0%, about92.5%, about 93.0%, about 93.5%, about 94.0%, about 94.5%, about 95.0%,about 95.10%, about 95.20%, about 95.30%, about 95.40%, about 95.50%,about 95.60%, about 95.70%, about 95.80%, about 95.90%, about 96.00%,about 96.10%, about 96.20%, about 96.30%, about 96.40%, about 96.50%,about 96.60%, about 96.70%, about 96.80%, about 96.90%, about 97.00%,about 97.10%, about 97.20%, about 97.30%, about 97.40%, about 97.50%,about 97.60%, about 97.70%, about 97.80%, about 97.90%, about 98.00%,about 98.10%, about 98.20%, about 98.30%, about 98.40%, about 98.50%,about 98.60%, about 98.70%, about 98.80%, about 98.90%, about 99.00%,about 99.10%, about 99.20%, about 99.30%, about 99.40%, about 99.50%,about 99.60%, about 99.70%, about 99.80%, about 99.90%, or about 99.99%.

The hardness of the fried product can include a peak force (shearingforce) between about 2000 g and about 4000 g. The peak force can beabout 2000 g, about 2200 g, about 2400 g, about 2600 g, about 2800 g,about 3000 g, about 3200 g, about 3400 g, about 3600 g, about 3800 g,and about 4000 g. The change in distance to peak force can be about 8mm, about 8.5 mm, about 9.0 mm, about 9.5 mm, about 10.0 mm, about 10.5mm, about 11.0 mm, about 11.5 mm, about 12.0 mm, about 12.5 mm, andabout 13.0 mm, about 13.5 mm, about 14.0 mm, about 14.5 mm and about15.0 mm.

The product can also have a peak force (shearing force) between about1000 g and about 4600 g. The peak force can be about 1000 g, about 1200g, about 1400 g, about 1600 g, about 1800 g, about 2000 g, about 2200 g,about 2400 g, about 2600 g, about 2800 g, about 3000 g, about 3200 g,about 3400 g, about 3600 g, about 3800 g, about 4000 g, about 4200 g,about 4400 g, and about 4600 g. The change in distance to peak force canbe about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm,about 4.5 mm, about 5.0 mm, about 5.5 mm, and about 6.0 mm.

FIG. 3 represents one possible cross-sectional illustration of friedproduct 300. In one exemplary aspect, FIG. 3 represents across-sectional illustration of a fried onion product or other productwith high initial moisture content or a simple carbohydrate base.Although fried product 300 is represented in FIG. 3 as having agenerally oblong cross-section, fried onion product 300 can have anyshaped cross-section. For example, the shape can be generallyrectangular, generally circular, generally oval, generally triangular,generally octagonal, etc. The cross-section can be a cross-section of afried product or a portion of a fried product. For example, thecross-section can be associated with all or a portion of a fried producthaving a helical cut, ring cut, chip cut, etc.

Fried product 300 includes surface portion 302, batter portion 304,inner batter portion 306, void portion 308, and product portion 310. Inone aspect, surface portion 302, batter portion 304 and inner batterportion 306 may be described as the outer portion of fried product 300.Void portion 308 and product portion 310 may be described as the innerportion of fried product 300. The outer portion (e.g., surface portion302, batter portion 304 and inner batter portion 306) may include a fatcontent of about 55% to about 95% of total fat of the fried product 300.The outer portion may include about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, and about 95% of thetotal fat content of fried product 300. The fat content of the outerportion may be at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%of the total fat content fried product 300. Surface portion 302 of outerportion can include a fat content of about 30% to about 95% of total fatof fried product 300. Surface portion 302 of the outer portion caninclude about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%,about 90%, and about 95% of the total fat content of fried product 300.Surface portion 302 of the outer portion can include at least 30%, 35%,40%, 45% 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95% of thetotal fat content of fried product 300. The outer portion and the innerportion may have a fat differential of about 10% to about 90%. The outerand inner portion may have a fat differential of about 10%, about 20%,about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, andabout 90%. The outer portion and the inner portion may have a fatdifferential of at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and90%.

During the vacuum frying and/or frying operation set forth above, batterportion 304 hardens to become a crispy and/or crunchy shell. During thefrying and/or vacuum frying process, the moisture content of productportion 310 is reduced which causes shrinking of product portion 310.During the frying and/or vacuum frying process, the shrinking enables atleast partial separation of product portion 310 from inner batterportion 306 to create void portion 308. The management of fat in batterbetween batter surface portion 302 and batter portion 304, along withthe creation of void portion 308, contributes to the crispy and/orcrunchy texture of the end product.

The moisture content of the fried product can be between about 0.01% andabout 10.0%, inclusive. The moisture content of the fried product may bebelow about 5%. The moisture content of the fried product may be belowabout 3%. The moisture content can be about 10%, about 9.5%, about 9.0%,about 8.5%, about 8.0%, about 7.5%, about 7.0%, about 6.5%, about 6.0%,about 5.5%, about 5.0%, about 5.90%, about 5.80%, about 5.70%, about5.60%, about 5.50%, about 5.40%, about 5.30%, about 5.20%, about 5.10%,about 5.00%, about 4.90%, about 4.80%, about 4.70%, about 4.60%, about4.50%, about 4.40%, about 4.30%, about 4.20%, about 4.10%, about 4.00%,about 3.90%, about 3.80%, about 3.70%, about 3.60%, about 3.50%, about3.40%, about 3.30%, about 3.20%, about 3.10%, about 3.00%, about 2.90%,about 2.80%, about 2.70%, about 2.60%, about 2.50%, about 2.40%, about2.30%, about 2.20%, about 2.10%, about 2.00%, about 1.90%, about 1.80%,about 1.70%, about 1.60%, about 1.50%, about 1.40%, about 1.30%, about1.20%, about 1.10%, about 1.00%, about 0.90%, about 0.80%, about 0.70%,about 0.60%, about 0.50%, about 0.40%, about 0.30%, about 0.20%, orabout 0.01%.

The fried product can have a water activity of between about 0.01 andabout 0.6, inclusive. The water activity of the fried product can bebelow about 0.6. The water activity of the fried product can be about0.01, about 0.05, about 0.10, about 0.15, about 0.20, about 0.25, about0.30, about 0.35, about 0.40, about 0.45, about 0.50, about 0.55, andabout 0.60.

The fried product can have a solids percentage of between about 90% and99.99%, inclusive. The solids percentage of the fried product can beabout 90%, about 90.5%, about 91.0%, about 91.5%, about 92.0%, about92.5%, about 93.0%, about 93.5%, about 94.0%, about 94.5%, about 95.0%,about 95.10%, about 95.20%, about 95.30%, about 95.40%, about 95.50%,about 95.60%, about 95.70%, about 95.80%, about 95.90%, about 96.00%,about 96.10%, about 96.20%, about 96.30%, about 96.40%, about 96.50%,about 96.60%, about 96.70%, about 96.80%, about 96.90%, about 97.00%,about 97.10%, about 97.20%, about 97.30%, about 97.40%, about 97.50%,about 97.60%, about 97.70%, about 97.80%, about 97.90%, about 98.00%,about 98.10%, about 98.20%, about 98.30%, about 98.40%, about 98.50%,about 98.60%, about 98.70%, about 98.80%, about 98.90%, about 99.00%,about 99.10%, about 99.20%, about 99.30%, about 99.40%, about 99.50%,about 99.60%, about 99.70%, about 99.80%, about 99.90%, or about 99.99%.

The hardness of the fried product may have batter failure at about 500g, about 1000 g, about 1500 g, about 2000 g, about 2500 g, about 3000 g,about 3200 g, about 3400 g, about 3600 g, about 3800 g, about 4000 g,about 4200 g, about 4400 g, about 4600 g, about 4800 g, and about 5000g. The change in distance to peak force can be about 2.0 mm, about 2.5mm, about 3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5.0mm, about 5.5 mm, about 6.0 mm, about 6.5 mm, about 7.0 mm, about 7.5mm, about 8 mm, about 8.5 mm, about 9.0 mm, about 9.5 mm, about 10.0 mm,about 10.5 mm, about 11.0 mm, about 11.5 mm, about 12.0 mm, about 12.5mm, about 13.0 mm, about 13.5 mm, about 14.0 mm, about 14.5 mm and about15.0 mm.

D. EXEMPLARY PRODUCT COMBINATIONS

As more fully set forth below in this section, a few exemplary productcombinations are discussed. The combination examples are not meant tolimit the scope of the application in any manner, but are merely toprovide examples of some possible attribute combinations of a product. Amyriad of product attribute combinations exist depending on the startingraw product.

An aspect may include a shelf stable food product having an innerportion and an outer portion. The shelf stable food product may includea fried food portion, a surface application portion proximal a surfaceof the fried food portion, a fat content of the outer portion of about55% to about 95% of total fat content of the shelf stable food product,about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, and a water activity ofabout 0 to about 0.6.

The surface application portion may be on the surface of the fried foodportion. The outer portion may include the surface application portion.The outer portion may also include a primed portion of the fried foodportion. The surface application portion may include about 20% to about95% of the total fat of the shelf stable food product.

The inner portion may include an unprimed portion of the fried foodproduct and include a fat differential between the inner portion and theouter portion of about 10% to about 90%.

In another aspect, the surface application portion of the shelf stablefood product may be a batter. The shelf stable food product may furtherinclude a void portion between the batter and the fried food portion.The outer portion may include the batter. The batter may also include anouter surface. The outer surface of the batter may include about 30% toabout 95% of the total fat of the shelf stable food product.

In another aspect, the inner portion may include a void portion and thefried food portion and the inner portion may include a fat differentialbetween the inner portion and the outer portion of about 10% to about90%.

The fried food portion of the shelf stable food product may include atleast one member of a group comprising: a strip cut, a shoestring cut, acriss cut, a crinkle cut, a helical cut, a waffle cut, a straight cut, apetal cut, a ring shape, and a lattice cut. In other aspects, the friedfood portion of the shelf stable food product is at least one member ofa group comprising: a fruit and a vegetable.

The shelf stable food product may include a hardness of about 2000 g toabout 4600 g at a strain of about 8 mm to about 15 mm. The shelf stablefood product may include a hardness of about 1000 g to about 4600 g at astrain of about 2 mm to about 6 mm. The surface application portion ofthe shelf stable food product may include a hardness of about 500 g toabout 3000 g at a strain of about 5 mm to about 6 mm.

The shelf stable food product may include a wt moisture of about 0% wtmoisture to about 5% wt moisture. The shelf stable food product mayinclude a wt moisture of about 0% wt moisture to about 3% wt moisture.The shelf stable food product may include a water activity of about 0 toabout 0.4.

The fried food portion of the shelf stable food product may be at leastone member of a group comprising: an atmospheric fried food portion anda vacuum fried food portion. The fried food portion of the shelf stablefood product may include a primed portion and an unprimed portion. Theprimed portion may include a concentration of complex carbohydrates inrelation to the unprimed portion.

The shelf stable food product may be made by a process that includespriming a whole food piece for about 0.10 minutes to about 10 minutes tocreate a primed food piece, applying a surface application to the primedfood piece to create a food piece having a surface application, andfrying the food piece having the surface application in oil to create afried food product having the wt moisture. The frying may include atleast one member of a group comprising: atmospheric frying and vacuumfrying. The product may be further made by packaging the fried foodproduct in a package having reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

The shelf stable food product may be made by a process that includesapplying a surface application to a food piece to create a food piecehaving a surface application, and frying the food piece having thesurface application in oil to create a fried food product having the fatcontent of the outer portion of about 55% to about 95% of total fatcontent of the shelf stable food product. The product may be furthermade by freezing the food piece having a surface application. Thefreezing may include freezing the food piece having a surfaceapplication at sub-zero temperatures. The frying may include at leastone member of a group comprising: atmospheric frying and vacuum frying.The product may be further made by packaging the fried food product in apackage having reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

An aspect may also include a shelf stable potato product having an innerportion and an outer portion. The shelf stable potato product mayinclude a fried potato portion, a surface application portion on asurface of the fried potato portion, a fat content of the outer portionof about 55% to about 95% of the total fat of the shelf stable potatoproduct, about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, and a wateractivity of about 0 to about 0.6.

The outer portion of the shelf stable potato product may include thesurface application portion. The outer portion of the shelf stablepotato product may also include a primed portion of the fried potatoportion. The surface application portion of the shelf stable potatoproduct may include about 20% to about 95% of the total fat of the shelfstable potato product.

The inner portion of the shelf stable potato product may include anunprimed portion of the fried potato product and include a fatdifferential between the inner portion and the outer portion of about10% to about 90%.

The fried potato portion of the shelf stable potato product may includeat least one member of a group comprising: a strip cut, a shoestringcut, a criss cut, a crinkle cut, a helical cut, a waffle cut, a straightcut, and a lattice cut. The fried potato portion of the shelf stablepotato product may include at least one member of a group comprising: aRusset potato piece, a Goldrush potato piece, a White potato piece, aRed potato piece, a Yellow potato piece, a Ruby potato piece, anAustralian potato piece, a Yukon potato piece, a Peruvian Blue potatopiece, a Superior potato piece, a Kennebec potato piece, a Katchdinpotato piece, a New potato piece, and a Sweet potato piece. The friedpotato portion of the shelf stable potato product may include at leastone member of a group comprising: an atmospheric fried potato portionand a vacuum fried potato portion. The fried potato portion of the shelfstable potato product may include a concentration of complexcarbohydrates in relation to an unprimed portion.

The shelf stable potato product may include a hardness of about 2000 gto about 4000 g at a strain of about 8 mm to about 15 mm. The shelfstable potato product may include a hardness of about 1000 g to about4600 g at a strain of about 2 mm to about 6 mm.

The shelf stable potato product may include a wt moisture of about 0% wtmoisture to about 5% wt moisture. The shelf stable potato product mayinclude a wt moisture of about 0% wt moisture to about 3% wt moisture.The water activity of the shelf stable potato product may be about 0 toabout 0.4.

The shelf stable potato product may be made by a process that includespriming a whole potato piece for about 0.10 minutes to about 10 minutesto create a primed potato piece, applying a surface application to theprimed potato piece to create a potato piece having a surfaceapplication, and frying the potato piece having the surface applicationin oil to create a fried potato product having the wt moisture. Thefrying may include at least one member of a group comprising:atmospheric frying and vacuum frying. The shelf stable potato productmay be further made by packaging the fried potato product in a packagehaving reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

An aspect may also include a shelf stable onion product having an innerportion and an outer portion. The shelf stable onion product may includea fried onion portion, a batter portion, a void portion between thebatter portion and the fried onion portion, a fat content of the outerportion of about 55% to about 95% of total fat content of the shelfstable onion product, about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture, anda water activity of about 0 to about 0.6.

The outer portion of the shelf stable onion product may include thebatter portion. The batter portion may include an outer surface. Theouter surface of the batter portion may include about 30% to about 95%of the total fat of the shelf stable onion product.

The inner portion of the shelf stable onion product may include the voidportion and the fried onion portion. The shelf stable onion product mayinclude a fat differential between the inner portion and the outerportion of about 10% to about 90%.

The fried onion portion of the shelf stable onion product may include atleast one member of a group comprising: a ring shape, a petal cut, astrip cut and a string cut. The fried onion portion of the shelf stableonion product may include at least one member of a group comprising: anatmospheric fried onion portion and a vacuum fried onion portion.

The batter portion of the shelf stable onion product may include ahardness of about 500 g to about 3000 g at a strain of about 2 mm toabout 15 mm. The shelf stable onion may include a wt moisture of about0% wt moisture to about 5% wt moisture. The shelf stable onion productmay include a wt moisture of about 0% wt moisture to about 3% wtmoisture. The shelf stable onion product may include a water activity isabout 0 to about 0.4.

The shelf stable onion product may be made by a process that includesapplying a batter to an onion piece to create an onion piece having abatter, and frying the onion piece having the batter in oil to create afried onion product having the void portion and a fat content of theouter portion of about 55% to about 95% of total fat content of theshelf stable onion product. The frying may include at least one memberof a group comprising: atmospheric frying and vacuum frying.

The shelf stable onion product may be further made by a process thatincludes freezing the onion piece having the batter. The freezing mayinclude freezing the onion piece having the batter at sub-zerotemperatures. The shelf stable onion product may be further made by aprocess that includes packaging the fried onion product in a packagehaving reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.

E. TESTED EXAMPLES

As more fully set forth below in this section, a few tested examples aredisclosed. The product was made according to the process indicated.Samples from the product made according to the indicated process werethen tested. The examples are not meant to limit the scope of theapplication in any manner, but are merely to provide a few examples oftests performed on end products made according to the indicated process.

Example 1

Whole unpeeled Russet potatoes were sized to the desired raw diameter(1⅞ inch by 3 inch cross-sections). The sized potatoes were washed andtrimmed. The washed potatoes were tempered at a temperature of about130° F. for about 30 minutes. The tempered potatoes were mechanicallycut into the desired criss cut with a thickness of about 0.312 inches.The criss cuts were graded and sorted. The graded and sorted criss cutswere primed in hot water at about 170° F. for about 5 minutes. The crisscuts were removed from the prime water and dipped in a solution of about0.75% by weight Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate for about 30 seconds.

The treated criss cuts were dried at about 180° F. until about 12%moisture was removed. The dried criss cuts were battered and fried inhot oil at about 375° F. for about 35 seconds at atmospheric pressure.The strips were quick frozen in subzero air at about 0° F.

The frozen criss cuts were fried under vacuum (about 28.5 inches ofmercury) in the oil at a start temperature of about 240° F. and asustainable fry temperature of about 220° F. for about 18 minutes. Thevacuum was maintained in the frying chamber while the criss cuts wereintroduced into the oil, immersed in the oil, and removed from the oil.The criss cuts were allowed to drip off oil for about 3 minutes whileheld under the vacuum after being removed from the oil. The strips thenwere removed from the frying chamber. The strips were then packaged.

Random samples were taken from the packaged product to test theattributes of the product. Three random samples were taken from thepackaged product and the moisture content was tested. The three randomsamples were weighted and then dried in a moisture dish at a temperatureof about 100° C. until a constant weight was obtained. The dried sampleswere then compared to the initial weight to determine the moisturecontent. The samples include a moisture content of 2.0 g, 2.0 g, and 2.0g, respectively. The average moisture content was 2.0 g.

Three random samples were taken from the packaged product and the wateractivity was tested. The bottom of aw-cells were covered with a layer ofeach sample and measured for water activity using a Novasina aw-centreand aw-box. The samples included a water activity of 0.116. 0.117, and0.105, respectively. The average water activity was 0.113.

The textural properties of the product were measured on a Stable MicroSystems Texture Analyzer TA.XT plus. The test was run on 15 randomsamples from the packaged product. A Fracture Wedge Set rig was utilizedwith the Stable Micro Systems Analyzer TA.XT plus. The analyzer had atest speed of 2 mm/s and a post-test speed of 10 mm/s. The peak force ofthe product was typically between 2000 g and 4000 g. The distance to thepeak force of the product was typically between 10 mm and 15 mm.

The fat content and fat distribution of the product was tested. Threerandom packaged product samples were tested for total fat content. Thetotal fat content was carried out by acid hydrolysis based on aWeibull/Berntrop method. A weight of a crushed sample was refluxed witha hydrochloric acid solution. The residue was washed through a filterpaper with the acid being removed by washing with warm water. The filterpaper and contents were dried and placed in an extraction thimble in aBolton extraction tube. The fat was washed into a weighted flask byrefluxing with a 50:50 mixture of diethyl ether and petroleum ether at40-60° C. The solvent was removed and the fat dried to a constantweight. The product samples included a total fat of 31.2 g, 30.7 g, and30.8 grams, respectively. The average total fat was 30.9 g.

About 10 g of uncrushed product samples were tested for surface fatcontent. The product samples were weighted into a wide necked flask. 100ml of petroleum ether at 40-60° C. was added to the flask. The flask wassealed with foil and Para film. The flask was then swirled for 2 minutesby hand. 50 ml of solvent was then placed into a weighted metal dish.The solvent was allowed to evaporate in a fume cupboard and the dish andfat was dried in an oven at 102-103° C. for 1 hour. Once cooled, the fatwas weighted. The samples had a surface fat content of 15.5 g, 14.8 g,and 15.7 g, respectively. The average surface fat content was 15.3 g or46% of the total fat.

The fat distribution throughout the product was measured. The sampleswere cross-sectioned. The cross-sectioned sample was fixed in osmiumvapor over silica gel to bind the osmium to the fat within the product.The cross-sectioned product was viewed by a backscattered electrondetection microscope. The fat bound with osmium appeared white in theimages while the remaining portions of the product unbound by the osmiumappeared black. A line scan was taken through the image of the crosssection and the light refraction was calculated using software. The linescan of the light refraction was plotted on a bar graph having a lightrefraction value (detection of fat) across the distance of the linescan. At least about 55% of the total fat of the product resided in theouter portion of the product.

Example 2

Whole unpeeled onions were washed and sliced into the desired raw cut (⅜inch wide rings). The slices then underwent priming at a temperature ofabout 95° F. for about 1 minute. The separated rings were then battered,predusted, and then battered again. The rings were then fried in oil atabout 385° F. for about 35 seconds at atmospheric pressure. The friedrings were cooled to a product temperature of about 100-140° F. Therings then were quick frozen for about 15 minutes at subzerotemperatures.

The rings were vacuum fried in hot oil with a starting temperature ofabout 240° F. and a sustainable fry temperature of about 222° F. Therings were in the vacuum fryer for about 18 minutes. The vacuum fryingchamber was held at about 28.5 inches of Hg vacuum before the rings wereintroduced into the oil, while they were in the oil, and while they wereremoved from the oil. The rings were removed from the oil and allowed todrip for about 3 minutes while under about 28.5 inches of Hg vacuum. Therings then were removed from the vacuum. The rings had the desiredcrispy and/or crunchy texture without the undesirable hard or brittletexture.

Random samples were taken from the packaged product to test theattributes of the product. Three random samples were taken from thepackaged product and the moisture content was tested. The three randomsamples were weighted and then dried in a moisture dish at a temperatureof about 100° C. until a constant weight was obtained. The dried sampleswere then compared to the initial weight to determine the moisturecontent. The samples include a moisture content of 2.8 g, 3.0 g, and 2.8g, respectively. The average moisture content was 2.87 g.

Three random samples were taken from the packaged product and the wateractivity was tested. The bottom of aw-cells were covered with a layer ofeach sample and measured for water activity using a Novasina aw-centreand aw-box. The samples included a water activity of 0.171, 0.169, and0.146, respectively. The average water activity was 0.162.

The textural properties of the product were measured on a Stable MicroSystems Texture Analyzer TA.XT plus. The test was run on 15 randomsamples from the packaged product. A Volodkevich Bit Jaw rig wasutilized with the Stable Micro Systems Analyzer TA.XT plus. The analyzerhad a test speed of 2 mm/s and a post-test speed of 10 mm/s. The peakforce of the product was typically between 500 g and 3000 g. Thedistance to the peak force of the product was typically between 2 mm and15 mm.

The fat content and fat distribution of the product was tested. Threerandom packaged product samples were tested for total fat content. Thetotal fat content was carried out by acid hydrolysis based on aWeibull/Berntrop method. A weight of a crushed sample was refluxed witha hydrochloric acid solution. The residue was washed through a filterpaper with the acid being removed by washing with warm water. The filterpaper and contents were dried and placed in an extraction thimble in aBolton extraction tube. The fat was washed into a weighted flask byrefluxing with a 50:50 mixture of diethyl ether and petroleum ether at40-60° C. The solvent was removed and the fat dried to a constantweight. The product samples included a total fat of 31.0 g, 31.5 g, and31.5 grams, respectively. The average total fat was 31.3 g.

About 10 g of uncrushed product samples were tested for surface fatcontent. The product samples were weighted into a wide necked flask. 100ml of petroleum ether at 40-60° C. was added to the flask. The flask wassealed with foil and Para film. The flask was then swirled for 2 minutesby hand. 50 ml of solvent was then placed into a weighted metal dish.The solvent was allowed to evaporate in a fume cupboard and the dish andfat was dried in an oven at 102-103° C. for 1 hour. Once cooled, the fatwas weighted. The samples had a surface fat content of 12.1 g, 12.3 g,and 12.7 g, respectively. The average surface fat content was 12.4 g or39.5% of the total fat.

The fat distribution throughout the product was measured. The sampleswere cross-sectioned. The cross-sectioned sample was fixed in osmiumvapor over silica gel to bind the osmium to the fat within the product.The cross-sectioned product was viewed by a backscattered electrondetection microscope. The fat bound with osmium appeared white in theimages while the remaining portions of the product unbound by the osmiumappeared black. A line scan was taken through the image of the crosssection and the light refraction was calculated using software. The linescan of the light refraction was plotted on a bar graph having a lightrefraction value (detection of fat) across the distance of the linescan. At least about 55% of the total fat of the product resided in theouter portion of the product.

Example 3

Whole unpeeled sweet potatoes were washed and peeled. The washedpotatoes were tempered at a temperature of about 130° F. for about 40minutes. The tempered sweet potatoes were mechanically sliced into thedesired cut (about 0.312 by 0.312 inch cross-section strips) with alength of at about 5 inches. The strips were then graded and sorted. Thegraded and sorted strips were primed in hot water at about 190° F. forabout 2 minutes. The primed strips were removed from the prime water anddipped in a solution of about 0.75% by weight Sodium Acid Pyrophosphatefor about 30 seconds.

The treated strips were dried at about 180° F. until about 16% moisturewas removed. The strips were battered with and fried in hot oil at about375° F. for about 35 seconds at atmospheric pressure. The strips thenwere quick frozen at sub-zero temperatures.

The frozen strips then were fried under vacuum (about 28.5 inches ofmercury) in the oil at a start temperature of about 240° F. and asustainable fry temperature of about 220° F. for about 22 minutes. Thevacuum was maintained in the frying chamber while the strips wereintroduced into the oil, immersed in the oil, and removed from the oil.The strips were allowed to drip off oil for about 3 minutes while heldunder the vacuum after being removed from the oil. The strips then wereremoved from the frying chamber. The strips were then packaged.

Random samples were taken from the packaged product to test theattributes of the product. Three random samples were taken from thepackaged product and the moisture content was tested. The three randomsamples were weighted and then dried in a moisture dish at a temperatureof about 100° C. until a constant weight was obtained. The dried sampleswere then compared to the initial weight to determine the moisturecontent. The samples include a moisture content of 2.0 g, 1.9 g, and 1.8g, respectively. The average moisture content was 1.9 g.

Three random samples were taken from the packaged product and the wateractivity was tested. The bottom of aw-cells were covered with a layer ofeach sample and measured for water activity using a Novasina aw-centreand aw-box. The samples included a water activity of 0.194, 0.192, and0.191, respectively. The average water activity was 0.192.

The textural properties of the product were measured on a Stable MicroSystems Texture Analyzer TA.XT plus. The test was run on 15 randomsamples from the packaged product. A Volodkevich Bit Jaw rig wasutilized with the Stable Micro Systems Analyzer TA.XT plus. The analyzerhad a test speed of 2 mm/s and a post-test speed of 10 mm/s. The peakforce of the product was typically between 1000 g and 4500 g. Thedistance to the peak force of the product was typically between 2 mm and6 mm.

The fat content and fat distribution of the product was tested. Threerandom packaged product samples were tested for total fat content. Thetotal fat content was carried out by acid hydrolysis based on aWeibull/Berntrop method. A weight of a crushed sample was refluxed witha hydrochloric acid solution. The residue was washed through a filterpaper with the acid being removed by washing with warm water. The filterpaper and contents were dried and placed in an extraction thimble in aBolton extraction tube. The fat was washed into a weighted flask byrefluxing with a 50:50 mixture of diethyl ether and petroleum ether at40-60° C. The solvent was removed and the fat dried to a constantweight. The product samples included a total fat of 36.0 g, 38.5 g, and36.4 grams, respectively. The average total fat was 36.9 g.

About 10 g of uncrushed product samples were tested for surface fatcontent. The product samples were weighted into a wide necked flask. 100ml of petroleum ether at 40-60° C. was added to the flask. The flask wassealed with foil and Para film. The flask was then swirled for 2 minutesby hand. 50 ml of solvent was then placed into a weighted metal dish.The solvent was allowed to evaporate in a fume cupboard and the dish andfat was dried in an oven at 102-103° C. for 1 hour. Once cooled, the fatwas weighted. The samples had a surface fat content of 8.9 g, 7.7 g, and9.1 g, respectively. The average surface fat content was 8.6 g or 23% ofthe total fat.

The fat distribution throughout the product was measured. The sampleswere cross-sectioned. The cross-sectioned sample was fixed in osmiumvapor over silica gel to bind the osmium to the fat within the product.The cross-sectioned product was viewed by a backscattered electrondetection microscope. The fat bound with osmium appeared white in theimages while the remaining portions of the product unbound by the osmiumappeared black. A line scan was taken through the image of the crosssection and the light refraction was calculated using software. The linescan of the light refraction was plotted on a bar graph having a lightrefraction value (detection of fat) across the distance of the linescan. At least about 55% of the total fat of the product resided in theouter portion of the product.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1-45. (canceled)
 46. A packaged shelf stable food product which is readyfor consumption from a package without cooking or thawing preparation,the packaged shelf stable vegetable product having an inner portion andan outer portion, the shelf stable vegetable product comprising: a friedfood portion; a surface application portion on a surface of the friedfood portion; a fat content of the outer portion of about 55% to about95% of total fat content of the packaged shelf stable food product whichis ready-for-consumption from the package without cooking or thawingpreparation; about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wt moisture of thepackaged shelf stable food product which is ready-for-consumption fromthe package without cooking or thawing preparation; and a water activityof about 0 to about 0.6 of the packaged shelf stable food product whichis ready-for-consumption from the package without cooking or thawingpreparation.
 47. The packaged shelf stable food product of claim 46,wherein the outer portion includes the surface application portion. 48.The packaged shelf stable food product of claim 47, wherein the outerportion includes a primed portion of the fried food portion.
 49. Thepackaged shelf stable food product of claim 48, wherein the surfaceapplication portion includes about 20% to about 95% of the total fat ofthe shelf stable food product.
 50. The packaged shelf stable foodproduct of claim 48, wherein the inner portion includes an unprimedportion of the fried food portion.
 51. The packaged shelf stable foodproduct of claim 50, further comprising a fat differential between theinner portion and the outer portion of about 10% to about 90%.
 52. Thepackaged shelf stable food product of claim 46, wherein the fried foodportion includes at least one member of a group comprising: a strip cut,a shoestring cut, a criss cut, a crinkle cut, a helical cut, a wafflecut, a straight cut, and a lattice cut.
 53. The packaged shelf stablefood product of claim 46, wherein the fried food portion is at least onemember of a group consisting of: onion, avocado, beets, broccoli,carrots, cauliflower, corn, beans, peppers pepperoncini, cucumber,pickle, peas, squash and zucchini.
 54. The packaged shelf stable foodproduct of claim 46, wherein the shelf stable food product furthercomprises a hardness of about 2000 g to about 4000 g at a strain ofabout 8 mm to about 15 mm.
 55. The packaged shelf stable food product ofclaim 46, wherein the packaged shelf stable food product furthercomprises a hardness of about 1000 g to about 4600 g at a strain ofabout 2 mm to about 6 mm.
 56. The packaged shelf stable food product ofclaim 46, wherein the wt moisture is about 0% wt moisture to about 5% wtmoisture.
 57. The packaged shelf stable food product of claim 46,wherein the wt moisture is about 0% wt moisture to about 3% wt moisture.58. The packaged shelf stable food product of claim 46, wherein thewater activity is about 0 to about 0.4.
 59. The packaged shelf stablefood product of claim 46, wherein the fried food portion is at least onemember of a group comprising: an atmospheric fried food portion and avacuum fried food portion.
 60. The packaged shelf stable food product ofclaim 46, wherein the fried food portion includes a primed portion andan unprimed portion, wherein the primed portion includes a concentrationof complex carbohydrates in relation to the unprimed portion.
 61. Aprocess for making a packaged shelf stable food product which is readyfor consumption from a package without cooking or thawing preparation,the process comprising: priming food piece; applying a surfaceapplication to the primed food piece to create a food piece having asurface application; frying the food piece having the surfaceapplication to a final moisture content of about 0% wt moisture to about10% wt moisture to create a fried food product; and packaging the friedfood product in a package having reduced atmospheric oxygen levels tocreate the shelf stable food product which is ready for consumption froma package without cooking or thawing preparation, wherein the shelfstable food product includes: a fried food portion; a surfaceapplication portion proximal a surface of the fried food portion; a fatcontent of an outer portion of the shelf stable food product of about55% to about 95% of total fat content of the shelf stable food product;a final moisture content of about 0% wt moisture to about 10% wtmoisture; and a water activity of about 0 to about 0.6.
 62. The processof claim 61, wherein cutting the food includes cutting the food to haveat least one member of a group comprising: a strip cut, a shoestringcut, a criss cut, a crinkle cut, a helical cut, a waffle cut, a straightcut, and a lattice cut.
 63. The process of claim 61, herein the friedfood portion is at least one member of a group consisting of: onion,avocado, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, corn, beans, pepperspepperoncini, cucumber, pickle, peas, squash and zucchini.